Mother, son accused of running heroin ring in Monmouth County

A mother and son in Monmouth County are among 32 people accused in a heroin ring.
Mechelle Distaulo is accused of starting a drug operation six years ago and turning it over to her son, Anthony Distaulo. They are accused of selling up to $400,000 worth of heroin each month in several towns throughout Monmouth County. Investigators say the heroin being sold was laced with fentanyl.
Christopher Gramiccioni, the Monmouth County prosecutor, says Distaulo originally ran this organization, but decided to retire and head south so she handed the operations over to her son. Gramiccioni says Distaulo was getting a kickback of $500 a day.
Of the 32 people arrested, 23 of them are allegedly the biggest purchasers from the drug ring. Authorities say efforts are underway to get them treatment.
Authorities are still looking for Distaulo in Florida to arrest her.
More than 200 people died of heroin overdoses in the county last year.