WILDWOOD CREST – Cape May County Prosecutor Robert L. Taylor announces the arrest of Albert McCarraher, 39, of Wildwood Crest for the distribution of heroin laced with fentanyl Jan. 27.
The Cape May County Prosecutor’s Office Gangs, Guns, and Narcotics Task Force developed information McCarraher was allegedly distributing heroin laced with fentanyl.
On Jan. 27, two court authorized search warrants were executed, one at McCarraher’s residence, located on the 300 block of East Topeka Avenue and the other on his vehicle. As a result, distribution amounts of heroin / fentanyl were seized, along with suspected cash proceeds from the sales.
Prosecutor Taylor commends all the agencies involved in the investigation and would like to highlight that because Cape May County has its own accredited forensic laboratory, we were able to quickly learn of this deadly mixture and take this very lethal addictive drug off the street.
According to Cape May County Prosecutor’s Office Chief Chemist, Ken Hand, fentanyl is a powerful synthetic narcotic similar to but more potent than heroin. Fentanyl has been the cause of a large number of overdoses within New Jersey and Cape May County. Last year, Cape May County had 110 reported overdoses and 60 Narcan deployments. Of the reported overdoses, 20 were fatal.
McCarraher was charged with distribution of CDS, a crime of the third degree, possession of CDS, a crime of the third degree, and distribution of CDS within 1,000 feet of a school zone, a crime of the third degree. McCarraher was lodged in the Cape May County Correctional Center in lieu of $25,000 full cash bail set by Judge Louis Belasco, PJMC.
Prosecutor Taylor advises that persons convicted of a third degree crime are subject to a term of imprisonment of 5 to 10 years in New Jersey State Prison. Prosecutor Taylor stated that his office will continue to work hand in hand with the local municipalities to target anyone selling illegal controlled dangerous substances. Prosecutor Taylor continues to urge the citizens of Cape May County to report any information regarding illegal drug activity and or any criminal activity within community and that this information can be reported anonymously through the Cape May County Sheriffs Tip Line at cmcsheriff.net and click on anonymous tip, or through the Cape May County Crime Stoppers at 609-465-2800 or 877-465-2801, Cape May County Prosecutor’s Office at 609-465-1135.
The charges and allegations contained in the complaint are merely accusations and the defendant is considered innocent unless and until proven guilty. This report is based on information received from the Prosecutor’s Office.
