Three Arrested on Drug Charges after Six-Month Investigation

The following is based on information received from a law enforcement agency. The person(s) named is innocent until proven otherwise in court.
COURT HOUSE – Cape May County Prosecutor Jeffrey H. Sutherland, and Lower Township Police Chief William Mastriana, in a release, announced the arrest of three individuals for the distribution of methamphetamine:
Laura L. Abide, 50, and Robert S. Bellemare, 47, both from Villas along with Terrance Mitchell, 28, of Philadelphia.
On March 29, the Cape May County Prosecutor’s Office, Gangs Guns and Narcotics Task Force, the Lower Township Police Department Detective Division, and the Drug Enforcement Administration Atlantic County High-Intensity Drug Trafficking Area (HIDTA) Task Force concluded a six-month-long investigation into a methamphetamine drug trafficking organization
being operated in Cape May County.
On that date, the Cape May County Regional SWAT Team and New Jersey State Police TEAMS Unit executed three Superior Court search warrants on a residence in the 100 block Tennessee Avenue, Villas, the 100 block of Bentz Avenue, Villas, and the 700 block of Academy Road, Cold Spring.
Additionally, an arrest operation was conducted in the area of the 700 block of Academy Road, Cold Spring for Terrance Mitchell.
During this operation, Mitchell attempted to elude arresting officers and fled in his vehicle. The Lower Township Police Department engaged in a brief vehicle pursuit with Mitchell, however it was shortly terminated.
A brief time later, Mitchell was involved in asingle-vehicle accident by crashing the car he was driving into a wooded area near Matthews Avenue and Route 9 in Whitesboro, Middle Township.
Witnesses alerted officers to the area of the crash and the direction the driver fled on foot. The driver, later identified as Terrance Mitchell, was located a short distance away and placed under arrest.
As a result of the investigation, over one pound of suspected methamphetamine was seized along with approximately $14,000 in currency and one vehicle.
The street value of the suspected methamphetamine seized is approximately $30,000.
Robert S. Bellemare was charged with possession of CDS (methamphetamine), conspiracy to Possess CDS (methamphetamine), conspiracy to distribute CDS
(methamphetamine), money laundering, and possession of CDS (marijuana).
Bellemare was released with a summons pending court
proceedings as per Bail Reform.*
Laura L. Abadie was charged with possession with the intent to distribute CDS (methamphetamine), conspiracy to distribute CDS (methamphetamine), possession of CDS (methamphetamine), conspiracy to possess CDS (methamphetamine), possession of CDS (methamphetamine), and money laundering.
Abadie was lodged in the Cape May County Correctional Facility, pending court proceedings, as per bail reform.*
Terrance Mitchell, who had a fugitive warrant from Pennsylvania, was charged with possession / distribution (methamphetamine), 1st degree; Possession of CDS (methamphetamine), possession / distribution of drug paraphernalia, eluding in a motor vehicle, hindering apprehension, obstruction of justice,  and fugitive of justice. Mitchell was lodged in the Cape May County Correctional Facility, pending court proceedings, as per bail reform.*
Sutherland stated that his office will continue to work hand in hand with the local, state, and federal law enforcement agencies to target anyone selling illegal controlled dangerous substances.
Sutherland continues to urge the citizens of Cape May County to report any information regarding illegal drug activity and or any criminal activity within the 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 the Cape May County Prosecutor’s Office at 609-465-1135.
* Any charges are merely accusations and the defendants are presumed innocent until and unless they are proven guilty.