Lakewood man found with 400 grams of cocaine, several guns
Prosecutors said Watts has been detained at the Ocean County Jail since May 28.
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A Lakewood man was charged with multiple drug and weapons offenses following a monthlong, multiagency investigation into cocaine distribution in Ocean County, authorities said.
Ocean County prosecutors said Freemon Watts, 46, was identified as a large-scale cocaine distributor during an investigation involving the Ocean County Prosecutor's Office, the FBI and several local police departments.
On May 27, detectives conducted surveillance on Watts, stopped his vehicle after he left his place of employment in Lakewood and took him into custody without incident, prosecutors said. Investigators then executed search warrants at Watts' home in Lakewood, a residence in Neptune Township and a storage unit in Toms River.
Authorities said the searches resulted in the seizure of approximately 400 grams of cocaine, drug distribution paraphernalia, a suspected Uzi-style submachine gun, two handguns with large-capacity ammunition magazines and about $14,000 in cash.
Watts is charged with possession of five ounces or more of cocaine with intent to distribute, possession of cocaine, possession of drug paraphernalia, possession of a firearm during a controlled dangerous substance offense, being a certain person not to possess a weapon, possession of a large-capacity ammunition magazine and financial facilitation.
Prosecutors said Watts has been detained at the Ocean County Jail since May 28.
