A Manchester man is arrested after picking up a suspicious package at a Whiting home which contained 2-pounds of crystal meth worth $88-thousand dollars.

Police arrested 77-year-old James Sweeney of Crestwood Village after responding to the report of a suspicious package which had been delivered to vacant residence on Valley Forge Drive in Whiting on Tuesday.

Officers were dispatched to an address in Crestwood Village where they observed a package which contained a clear, rock-like substance, believed to be crystal methamphetamine.

Due to its suspicious nature, to include its contents, labeling and location, the Manchester Township Office of Emergency Management, Berkeley Township Hazmat Unit, and the Ocean County Sheriff’s Department Crime Scene Investigations (CSI) Unit responded.

The area was deemed safe and CSI confirmed the substance tested positive for methamphetamine.

Once the package was secured, detectives from the Department’s Narcotics Enforcement Team (NET) as well as detectives from the Ocean County Prosecutor’s Office Major Crimes Unit responded to the scene to assist with the investigation.

While doing so, detectives learned that the package was sent to a vacant address in Crestwood Village which was currently under renovation.

The property’s owner did not know why the package had been sent to the residence, so surveillance was established for the purpose of seeing who might come and claim it.

While surveilling the area, a suspicious male was seen driving around the area on multiple occasions during the evening.

The following morning, the male was seen coming back to the area during which time he retrieved the package and placed it into his vehicle.

Members of the NET converged and the male was taken into custody without incident.

James Sweeney of Manchester is charged with Criminal Attempt Possession with Intent to Distribute Methamphetamine over 5 Ounces, Criminal Attempt Possession of Methamphetamine, Loitering for the Purpose to Obtain a Controlled Dangerous Substance, Possession of Marijuana, Possession of THC, and Possession of Drug Paraphernalia.

Sweeney was released on a summons and given a court date to appear.

The vehicle that was being operated during the incident was seized pending forfeiture.

The total weight of the seized crystal methamphetamine was approximately 2 pounds or approximately 878 grams with a street value of over $88,000.

Also assisting in the investigation were members of the Manchester Township Police Criminal Investigations and K9 Units as well as the United States Postal Service.

More From WOBM News: