Waretown Man Faces Heroin Distribution Charge In Lacey

A Lacey police officer on patrol busted a Waretown man on a heroin distribution charge after noticing him slumped over the steering wheel while parked at the Wawa store on Lacey Road.

Special Officer Jesse Urban was on patrol the night of Oct. 31 when he noticed a man identified as Joel L. Cotto, 33, of Waretown, asleep in his vehicle. More officers responded and "observed a considerable number of bundled packets of heroin" in his vehicle, police said in a statement, which ultimately led to his arrest.

Cotto was transported to police headquarters where was processed and criminally charged with possession of heroin, possession of heroin with intent to distribute, and possession of drug paraphernalia.

Cotto was lodged at the Ocean County Jail in lieu of $75,000 bail. His vehicle was impounded.