Lower Police Seize Over Two Pounds of Marijuana This Month

ERMA — Throughout this month, Lower Township Police Department’s Detective Bureau received various reports about large possessions of “high grade” marijuana. They seized over two pounds of the drug with a $4,000 street value. In addition, Ecstasy was seized having a street value of $2,300.
As a result of tips, detectives began cultivating leads on who possessed and distributed the illicit drug.
The first of several seizures took place Aug. 2 with the arrest of Craig Smith, 57, of the 200 block Matthews Avenue, Villas. In that case, handled by Detectives Robert Smith and Chris Lambert, over a half pound of marijuana, described as “hydro bud” was seized.
Smith was charged with marijuana possession and possession with intent to distribute marijuana. He was charged on a warrant and released on his own recognizance.
On Aug. 9, another Wayne Michael Adams, 41, of the first block, Mimosa Avenue, Rio Grande, was charged with marijuana possession and possession with intent to distribute marijuana after he was arrested with about a pound of marijuana as he allegedly attempted to sell it at a Villas ice cream parlor.
Detectives Art Mason, Ed Dougherty and Lambert investigated that case.
Adams was charged and released on his own recognizance. That drug, too, had an appearance and smell similar to the hydro bud.”
On Aug. 13, Detectives Lambert, Smith and Detective First Class Mel Hedum investigated a report from a Villas citizen who had “come into possession of what was believed to be marijuana,” and which was voluntarily surrendered to police. After examination, it appeared to have the same consistency as the prior two seizures.
Weight of that marijuana was in excess of a quarter pound.
On Aug. 16, detectives made contact with Amanda Dermott, 25, and Edward Franchville, 23, in the area of the 7-Eleven convenience store on Bayshore Road, Villas.
During an inquiry, the odor of marijuana was detected by detectives, who investigated and disclosed about a half pound of marijuana with characteristics similar to previous seizures. They also found 92 tablets of Ecstasy on the subjects.
Dermott and Franchville were taken into custody and taken to police headquarters.
Dermott was charged with possession of marijuana and possession with intent to distribute marijuana. She was charged on a warrant and released on her own recognizance.
Franchville was charged with possession of Ecstasy and possession with intent to distribute Ecstasy.
He was charged on a warrant with bail set at $25,000 by Municipal Court Judge David DeWeese. He was also charged on a summons for possession of marijuana under 50 grams and had a warrant from Cape May for $528 for a contempt of court charge.
He was remanded to county jail in lieu of bail. Patrolman Robert Fessler, and Detectives Lambert and Smith investigated.