Bayville man faces heroin charges in Manchester

A Berkeley Township man, allegedly caught with 140 folds of heroin in his car Friday in Manchester, awaits court hearings on four related charges.

Kenneth R. Cooper, 39, of Bayville, was charged during a traffic stop conducted by Manchester PD's Narcotics Enforcement Team (NET) on Route 37, near the Toms River line, authorities said.

Officers staking out the township's Summit Park section said that Cooper engaged in what they described as "suspicious activity," and followed his 1997 Honda Accord on to Route 37, where he was flagged to the shoulder for a driving infraction.

Officers seized the narcotics and charged Cooper with possession of heroin, possession with intent to distribute heroin, loitering to obtain a controlled dangerous substance, and possession of drug paraphernalia. He was released on summonses.

Also involved in the incident were members of Manchester PD's patrol bureau and the Toms River PD K-9 team of Patrolman Buhowski and Gunnar.

Manchester residents can report drug tips anonymously, and confidentially, through the link in the police department web site, or at 732-657-6111.

Charges are accusations. Defendants are presumed innocent unless, and until, found guilty in a court of law.