N.J. couple charged with heading 'heroin trafficking network,' cops say

An Eatontown, N.J., couple was arrested Friday for allegedly heading up a heroin distribution network, according to information released Sunday by the Monmouth County Prosecutor's Office.

Officials said Vincent Laing, 30, organized and managed the drug ring, while partner Jennifer Daly, 31, handled the cash proceeds. The two are accused of dealing heroin in the spring and winter of 2013.

The couple faces a slew of charges, including narcotics possession and distribution, conspiracy and financially facilitating criminal activity. Laing is also charged with one count of leading a narcotics trafficking network.

Officials said the arrests were a result of a 10-month investigation by the Monmouth County Prosecutor's Office. Officers with the U.S. Marshals Service and Eatontown Police Department together took Laing and Daly into custody.

Laing has a lengthy rap sheet, according to prosecutors. He was arrested June 2 in Tinton Falls and charged with three counts of narcotics possession. Officials said he posted 10 percent of $7,500 bail the same day of his arrest — a trend that appears to have persisted throughout Laing's recent run-ins with the law.

Laing was arrested March 15 after detectives allegedly found more than half an ounce of heroin in the home he shared with Daly. Laing was charged with possession of narcotics and possession with the intent to distribute. Investigators said he was released the same day after posting $100,000 bail.

Laing is also on bail pending a Dec. 9 trial in connection with a 2009 car crash that killed an 83-year-old Neptune Township woman, according to authorities. Laing was Jan. 5, 2011 charged by indictment with vehicular homicide and drug possession. Prosecutors said he again almost immediately posted $150,000 bail and was released the day after his arrest.

Laing and Daly are each being held at the Monmouth County Correctional Institution in lieu of $500,000 and $250,000 bail, respectively. The suspects are required to undergo a bail source hearing to determine the provenance of any money put forward before they are released.

If convicted of leading a narcotics trafficking network, Laing faces a life sentence with a 25-year period of parole ineligibility. He also faces additional jail time for the other charges. Daly, if found guilty, could receive five to 10 years in jail for each of the distribution charges and three and five years in prison for each of the possession and financial facilitation charges.

Anyone with additional information about the case is asked to call Det. Keith Finkelstein of the Monmouth County Prosecutor's Office at 732-431-7160, ext. 3019.