SOUTH TOMS RIVER – Three Ocean County residents were arrested and charged after a police found cocaine, marijuana, drug paraphernalia, and approximately $19,000 in cash in their possession, announced Ocean County Prosecutor Bradley D. Billhimer.

A two-month investigation into illegal drug activity in the area, conducted by the Prosecutor’s Narcotics Strike Force and the South Toms River Police Department, arrested and charged Hector Miranda, 33, of South Toms River, Brian Rung, 32, of Beachwood, and Erika Torres-Bruno, 32, of South Toms River.

On Feb. 22, law enforcement officials from the Ocean County Prosecutor’s Office, South Toms River Police Department, the Ocean County Regional SWAT Team, and the Ocean County Sheriff’s Department K-9 Unit executed search warrants at Midtown Pizza in South Toms River.

The search yielded 45 grams of cocaine, various quantities of marijuana, and drug paraphernalia. Police noted that these items were all “indicative of possession with intent to distribute and outright distribution of Controlled Dangerous Substances.”

Hector Miranda (Photo courtesy Ocean County Prosecutor’s Office)

Police also seized approximately $19,000 in cash in connection with the crime.

Miranda was charged with two Counts of Possession With Intent to Distribute More than One Half Ounce but Less than Five Ounces of Cocaine; Distribution of More than One Half Ounce but Less than Five Ounces of Cocaine; two Counts of Possession of Cocaine; Financial Facilitation of Criminal Activity; Possession With Intent to Distribute More Than One Ounce but less than Five Pounds of Marijuana; Possession of Marijuana less than Fifty Grams; and Possession of Drug Paraphernalia. Miranda remains at Ocean County Jail pending a detention hearing.

Brian Rung (Photo courtesy Ocean County Prosecutor’s Office)

Rung was charged with Possession with Intent to Distribute More than One Half Ounce but Less than Five Ounces of Cocaine; Possession of More than One Half Ounce but less than Five Ounces of Cocaine; Financial Facilitation of Criminal Activity; Possession with Intent to Distribute More than One Ounce but Less than Five Pounds of Marijuana; Possession of Less than 50 Grams of Marijuana; and Possession of Drug Paraphernalia. Rung has been released pending a future court date.

Erika Torres-Bruno (Photo courtesy Ocean County Prosecutor’s Office)

Torres-Bruno was charged with Conspiracy to Distribute Cocaine in a Quantity less than One Half Ounce. Torres-Bruno has also been released pending a future court date.