Two charged with drug possession, distribution
BY JESSICA SMITH
Staff Writer

OLD BRIDGE - Two township men were arrested Oct. 11 on allegations they were running a drug distribution ring in a residential section of town.

The arrest was a result of three months' worth of surveillance by undercover narcotics officers, according to Old Bridge Police Lt. Robert Weiss.

"The dealing of controlled dangerous substances in Old Bridge Township, particularly in residential neighborhoods, will not be tolerated," Weiss said. "This arrest removes dangerous and undesirable activities from the streets of our community, and places these individuals behind bars where they belong. It's our intent to prosecute them to the fullest extent of the law."

John William Freeman, 37, of Throckmorton Lane, and Glen A. Johnson, 35, Woodview Drive, were arrested after returning to Old Bridge from what police said was a trip to Newark to purchase drugs. Police followed them and made the arrest on Route 9 near Overpass Drive.

The men were each charged with possession of controlled dangerous substances, distribution of cocaine, illegal possession of methadone, possession of prescription drugs and possession of paraphernalia. They were being held at the Middlesex County Adult Correction Center, North Brunswick, in lieu of $75,000 bail with no option of 10 percent.

At the time of the arrest, police said, the men were in possession of pipes, copper-colored steel wool, which is commonly used in drug manufacturing, $277 in cash, a clear plastic bag containing an unidentified powder, 15 paper folds of cocaine, 18 Xanax "sticks," 43 bags of two different types of heroin, two bottles of methadone and one paper fold of an unidentified powder.

Undercover narcotics officers discovered that Johnson's residence was being used for selling drugs, Weiss said.

Woodview Drive is in a quiet residential area of Old Bridge off Throckmorton Lane, he noted

Weiss said a check of Johnson's record revealed six terms in prison on nine different sentences, including parole violations, driving on the suspended list, hindering apprehension, three counts of robbery, and possession of a weapon with unlawful intent.

No prior record information could be located on Freeman.

Weiss did not know what type of sentencing the men would face if convicted.