Lacey, NJ man’s cocaine operation comes to an end as he meets with buyer from Bayville, NJ

A multi-agency investigation led Ocean County law enforcement to a Lacey Township home where the man living there was arrested for his cocaine operation.

It was last Thursday that a sting was set up outside of the residence in Lacey by the Ocean County Prosecutor's Office Narcotics Strike Force, Lacey Police Detectives and Patrol Officers as well as Ocean County Sheriff's Office Officers and the OCSO K-9 Unit who had teamed up over the course of the investigation.

As a result of the stationary and mobile surveillance sting, Ocean County Prosecutor Bradley Billhimer said that the investigating law enforcement agencies on site saw the man living there -- 58-year-old Douglas Ward -- leave and go and meet with 60-year-old Thomas Prosser of the Bayville section of Berkeley Township.

Both men were arrested after the encounter and Ward was found in possession of several bags of cocaine.

Ocean County law enforcement then executed a court authorized search warrant of Ward's residence and found an additional 70 grams of cocaine along with about $20,300.00 in cash.

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Ward was then charged with Possession of more than One-Half Ounce but less than Five Ounces of Cocaine with Intent to Distribute, Possession of Cocaine, and Financial Facilitation of Criminal Activity  for storing and distributing cocaine from and outside of his home.

He was brought to the Ocean County Jail, but then had to be released because of New Jersey's Bail Reform Law.

Prosser, meanwhile, for showing up to buy cocaine, was charged with Possession of Cocaine, and Wandering in a Public Place to Obtain or Distribute Controlled Dangerous Substances.

Prosecutor Billhimer said that Prosser was served with the charges via summons pending an upcoming first appearance in Ocean County Superior Court.