LAKEWOOD, NJ — A man faces multiple narcotics and weapons charges following a month-long multi-agency investigation into cocaine distribution in Ocean County.
Freemon Watts, 46, of Lakewood, was arrested May 27, 2026, after detectives conducted a motor vehicle stop as he left his place of employment.
Detectives executed court-authorized search warrants on Watts’ residence in Lakewood, a residence in Neptune Township associated with his distribution operation, and a storage unit in Toms River.
The searches yielded approximately 400 grams of cocaine, drug paraphernalia, a suspected Uzi-style sub-machine gun, two handguns with large capacity ammunition magazines, and approximately $14,000 in cash.
Watts was 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.
He was transported to the Ocean County Jail, where he has been detained since May 28, 2026.
The investigation was conducted by the Ocean County Prosecutor’s Office Narcotics Strike Force in collaboration with the Federal Bureau of Investigation Safe Streets Task Force-Red Bank, Lakewood Township Police Department Street Crimes Unit, Lakewood Township Police Department Special Response Team, Toms River Police Department Special Enforcement Team, Manchester Township Police Department Narcotics Enforcement Team, and Neptune Township Police Department.
