LACEY – A 60-year-old woman has been arrested and charged for employing a minor, who she was the legal guardian of, to sell narcotics, officials said.
Margaret Whalen of Lacey Township was charged with Maintaining or Operating a Controlled Dangerous Substance Facility, Manufacturing Psilocybin Mushrooms, Possession of Psilocybin Mushrooms with Intent to Distribute, Possession of Psilocybin Mushrooms, Employing a Juvenile in a Drug Distribution Scheme, and two counts of Endangering the Welfare of a Child.
Back in March, the Lacey Township Police Department was alerted by the Division of Child Protection and Permanency that Whalen was using her home on Elwood Street to manufacture and distribute psilocybin mushrooms.
On March 13, detectives searched the home and found several jars containing suspect psilocybin mushrooms.
After testing samples collected, it was confirmed that the contents were indeed psilocybin mushrooms.
According to authorities, Whalen manufactured and distributed psilocybin mushrooms from her home while she was the legal guardian of three minor children who resided at the home with her.
In addition, Whalen had employed one of the minors in her scheme to manufacture and distribute the narcotics, officials said.
On June 4, Whalen was charged and was taken into custody the following day. She was transported to the Ocean County Jail, where she is presently lodged pending a detention hearing.
Ocean County Prosecutor Bradley D. Billhimer commends the Ocean County Prosecutor’s Office Special Victim’s Unit, Lacey Township Police Department Detective Bureau, Lacey Township Police Department, Ocean County Sheriff’s Office Crime Scene Investigation Unit, and Division of Child Protection and Permanency, for their combined and collaborative efforts in connection with this investigation.
The charges referenced are merely accusations and the public are reminded that all defendants are presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.
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