Law enforcement authorities busted a heroin trafficking network they claim pushed up to 20,000 bags of heroin each month, worth up to $400,000.

The group sold heroin laced with the deadlier drug fentanyl throughout the Bayshore region, according to a statement from Monmouth County Prosecutor’s Office. 

Thirty-two people were charged – four are still wanted by police – in connection to the network, which ran through homes across Monmouth and Ocean Counties. The heroin supply came from Newark.

Law enforcement authorities conducted searches in Monmouth, Ocean and Essex counties, seizing 3,200 bags of heroin, $12,000 in cash, eight cars two motorcycles and one trailer believed to be used for drug dealing.

“This investigation deals a critical blow to a narcotics trafficking network that has plagued the towns and neighborhoods in the Bayshore region for a long time,” Monmouth County Prosecutor Chris Gramiccioni said in the statement. 

Anthony Distaulo, 33, of Jackson, is charged with acting as the leader of the narcotics trafficking network, according to the statement. He’s also charged with second-degree conspiracy, first-degree drug possession with the intent to distribute, first-degree distribution of drugs and third-degree possession of drugs. 

Distaulo worked with eight other people, according to the statement. Each was charged with second-degree conspiracy, first-degree drug possession with the intent to distribute, first-degree distribution of drugs and third-degree drug possession: 

• Joseph Bartucci, 32, of Keansburg 
• Anthony Distaulo’s mother Mechelle Distaulo, 52, of Brick, who is still wanted by police.
• Kate Ellis, 28, of Jackson
• James Granberg, 42, of Keyport
• Khalil Hill, also known as “Drama”, 35, of Newark
• Kayleigh Leonard, 30, of Jackson
• Vincent Mielnicki, 39, of Union Beach
• Matthew Rowland, 34, of Red Bank

Authorities charged 23 people they say were buying drugs, according to the statement, accusing them of third-degree conspiracy to possess drugs and third-degree possession of drugs: 

• Brianne Benedetto, 29, of Millstone
• Barbara Bryk, 51, and her husband Randy Bryk, 54, both of the Port Monmouth section of Middletown
• Keith Chanley, 28, of South Amboy
• Matthew Demko, 38, of Keyport
• Nicole Fox, 33, of Keansburg
• Eric Greer, 55, of Morganville
• Kyle Groat, 31, of Middletown
• Ashley Groc, 25, of South Amboy
• Emily Heun, 34, of the Leonardo section of Middletown
• David Isaksen, 42, of Leonardo section of Middletown
• Jacquelin Kelly, 53, of Keansburg
• Veronica Lapsley, 42, of Keansburg
• Sean LaFata, 35, of Keyport
• Brittany Matias, 23, of Port Monmouth section of Middletown
• DebbieJo Mezzacappa, 29, of Leonardo section of Middletown
• Ranya Mobarak, 31, of Hazlet
• Daniel Notaroberto, 32, of Middletown
• Anthony Pane, also known as “Bug”, 28, of Hazlet
• Anthony Schiano, 30, of Keyport
• Alfred Valli, 54, of Middletown
• Kurt Westendorf, 60, of Keansburg
• Melissa Whiteman, 30, of Hazlet

Benedetto, Isaksen, and Mezzacappa are still wanted by police. 

Andrew Ford: @AndrewFordNews: 732-643-4281; aford3@gannettnj.com

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