TOMS RIVER — A South Toms River man was sentenced to seven years in New Jersey State Prison on Thursday following a 2023 drug investigation that led to multiple narcotics charges, Ocean County Prosecutor Bradley D. Billhimer announced.
Angel Perez, 39, received the sentence from Superior Court Judge Kenneth T. Palmer in connection with his guilty plea to possession of cocaine with intent to distribute. Perez entered the plea on May 9.
The charges stem from a Sept. 27, 2023, investigation in the area of the Presidential Apartments in Toms River. Detectives from the Toms River Township Police Department’s Special Enforcement Team observed two vehicles parked side-by-side and watched as a woman exited one and entered the passenger side of the other, which was being driven by Perez.
Detectives approached the vehicle and removed both occupants. According to authorities, cocaine was observed in plain view on the driver’s side floorboard. Perez was arrested at the scene and charged with possession of more than one-half ounce of cocaine with intent to distribute, possession of cocaine, and wandering to obtain or distribute a controlled dangerous substance.
He was transported to the Ocean County Jail. The following day, police executed a court-authorized search warrant on the vehicle and seized additional quantities of cocaine, oxycodone, suboxone, hashish, and drug paraphernalia. Perez was served with additional charges while in custody.
He was released from jail on Oct. 10, 2023, under the guidelines of New Jersey’s Bail Reform law.
Prosecutor Billhimer credited Assistant Prosecutor Victoria Esler for handling the case and praised the work of the Toms River Police Department and its Special Enforcement Team.
