Methamphetamine distribution organization disrupted in Cape May County
Cape May, N.J. – Special Agent in Charge of the United States Drug Enforcement Administration’s New Jersey Division Susan A. Gibson, Cape May County Prosecutor Jeffrey H. Sutherland, and Lower Township Police Chief William Mastriana announce the arrest of three individuals for the distribution of methamphetamine: Laura L. Abide, age 50 and Robert S. Bellemare, age 47, both from the Villas section of Lower Township, NJ along with Terrance Mitchell, age 28 ,of Philadelphia, PA.
On March 29, 2019, the Cape May County Prosecutor’s Office, Gangs Guns and Narcotics Task Force, the Lower Township Police Department Detective Division, and the DEA Atlantic County High Intensity Drug Trafficking Area (HIDTA) Task Force concluded a six-month long investigation into a Methamphetamine Drug Trafficking Organization being operated in Cape May County, NJ.
On March 29, 2019, the Cape May County Regional SWAT Team and New Jersey State Police TEAMS Unit executed three Superior Court search warrants on a residence located in the 100 block of Tennessee Ave., Villas, N.J., the 100 block of Bentz Avenue, Villas, N.J., and the 700 block of Academy Road, Cold Spring, N.J. additionally, an arrest operation was conducted in the area of the 700 block of Academy Road, Cold Spring, N.J. for Terrance Mitchell.
During this operation, Mitchell attempted to elude arresting officers and fled in his vehicle.The Lower Township Police Department engaged in a brief vehicle pursuit with Mitchell, however it was shortly terminated. A brief time later, Mitchell was involved in a single vehicle accident by crashing the car he was driving into a wooded area near Matthews Avenue and Route 9 in the Whitesboro section of Middle Township. Witnesses alerted officers to the area of the crash and the direction the driver fled on foot. The driver, later identified as Terrance Mitchell, was located a short distance away and placed under arrest.
As a result of this investigation, over one pound of suspected methamphetamine was seized along with approximately $14,000 in U.S. currency and one vehicle. The street value of the suspected methamphetamine seized is approximately $30,000.
Robert S. Bellemare was charged with Possession of CDS (methamphetamine), 3rd degree; Conspiracy to Possess CDS (methamphetamine), 3rd degree; Conspiracy to Distribute CDS (methamphetamine), 2nd Degree; Money Laundering, 3rd degree; and Possession of CDS (marijuana), a disorderly persons offense. Bellemare was released with a summons pending court proceedings as per bail reform.
Laura L. Abadie was charged with Possession with the Intent to Distribute CDS (methamphetamine), 1st degree; Conspiracy to Distribute CDS (methamphetamine), 2nd Degree; Possession of CDS (methamphetamine), 3rd degree; Conspiracy to Possess CDS (methamphetamine), 3rd degree; Possession of CDS (methamphetamine), 3rd degree; and Money Laundering, 3rd degree. Abadie was lodged in the Cape May County Correctional Facility, pending Court proceedings, as per bail reform.
Terrance Mitchell, who had a fugitive warrant from the state of Pennsylvania, was charged with Possession / Distribution (methamphetamine), 1st degree; Possession of CDS (methamphetamine), 3rd degree; Possession / Distribution of Drug Paraphernalia, 4th degree; Eluding in a Motor Vehicle, 2nd degree; Hindering Apprehension, 3rd degree; Obstruction of Justice , 4th Degree; and Fugitive of Justice. Mitchell was lodged in the Cape May County Correctional Facility, pending Court proceedings, as per bail reform.
Prosecutor Sutherland stated that his office will continue to work hand in hand with the local, state, and federal law enforcement agencies to target anyone selling illegal controlled dangerous substances.
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