FREEHOLD -- Monmouth County authorities say they busted a drug ring that moved 7,500 bags of heroin a week through the Asbury Park area.

"Operation High Life," as the four-month investigation was dubbed, culminated with the arrest this week of seven of nine suspects and the seizure of more than 10,000 bags of heroin that were about to hit the streets, said acting Monmouth County Prosecutor Christopher Gramiccioni.

Gramiccioni said the ring is part of an Ocean Township-based heroin trafficking network run by Mario DeShader, 30, of Ocean Township along with DeShawn "Date" Esdaile, 24, of Asbury Park.

The two men, he said, distributed "substantial amounts" of heroin daily in Ocean Township, Asbury Park, Neptune Township, and Neptune City. Investigators identified Mark "Scrilla" St. Juste, 33, of Carteret of DeShader's heroin supplier, he said.

"This takedown puts a much-needed dent in the heroin market existing in Monmouth County for today, but there is still more work to be done," Gramiccioni said in a press release on Friday night. "Investigators will continue their robust enforcement operations to further curtail the heroin supply. At the same time, our office must continue its outreach and education efforts to reduce heroin demand - it is here where public engagement remains most important."

DeShader, Esdaile and St. Juste were each charged with possession with intent to distribute heroin, conspiracy to possess heroin with the intent to distribute and heroin distribution.

DeShader, who also goes by the names "Noso" and "Fat Boy," was also charged with two counts of possession of heroin and another count of heroin distribution.

Esdaile had additional charges of heroin distribution and possession.

Others arrested earlier this week were identified as Todd "Filthy" Ewart, 34, of Ocean Township; Brittany Cook, 25, of Cleveland, Ohio; Kavon J. McMillon, 26, of Neptune Township and Iran Clayton-McKinley, 21, also of Neptune Township.

Ewart and Cook are each charged with possession with intent to distribute heroin and heroin possession.

McMillon and Clayton-McKinley are each charged with conspiracy to possession heroin.

Two other people identified as part of the ring but not yet arrested are Carl "Old Head" Revis, 56, of Toms River and Patricia Baez, 46, of Neptune Township. They are facing charges of conspiracy to possess heroin, Gramiccioni said.

All of the suspects were being held in the Monmouth County jail in Freehold. Bail was set at $500,000 each for DeShader, Esdaile, St. Juste and Ewart.

Bail was set at $100,000 for Cook, $10,000 for McMillon and $40,000 for Clayton-McKinley.

Anyone with information about the whereabouts of Revis or Baez is asked to contact prosecutor's Detective William Crosta at 1-800-533-7443 or the local police.

Those who want to remain anonymous but have information about a crime can contact Monmouth County Crime Stoppers confidential telephone tip-line by calling 1-800-671-4400; can text "MONMOUTH" plus their tip to 274637; or email a tip via the website at www.monmouthcountycrimestoppers.com. Monmouth County Crime Stoppers will pay up to $5,000 for information leading to the arrest of fugitives.

MaryAnn Spoto may be reached at mspoto@njadvancemedia.com. Follow her on Twitter @MaryAnnSpoto. Find NJ.com on Facebook.