Stafford Township, NJ – The Stafford Township Police Drug Enforcement Unit (DEU) launched a confidential investigation on 56-year-old Rosario Russo who was suspected of distributing controlled dangerous substances in Stafford Township. The investigation led to the issuance of an arrest warrant on Russo and a search warrant for his apartment located in the Cedar Run Apartments on Route 9 South in Manahawkin.
On Thursday, July 18th, 2024, the Stafford Police DEU executed the search warrant and a motor vehicle stop was conducted on Russo within the Cedar Run Apartment complex where he was taken into custody. Detectives found Russo to be in possession of methamphetamine and located additional methamphetamine and drug paraphernalia within his apartment during the search.
Russo was charged with 2C:35-5B(9)(A) Distribution of Methamphetamine, 2C:35-10A(1) 2nd Degree Possession of Methamphetamine, and 2C:36-2A Possession of Drug paraphernalia . After being processed at police headquarters, he was issued a complaint summons and released with a court appearance scheduled in Ocean County Superior Court.
As a reminder, the Stafford Township Police Department does not release arrest photos of defendants. All individuals are presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.