Basking Ridge Siblings Arrested on Drug Charges

A 20-year-old Basking Ridge man was arrested Tuesday on various drug distribution and possession charges, and his 18-year-old sister, a Ridge High School senior, was charged with possession and intent to distribute marijuana, according to a release by Bernards Township Police and the Somerset County Prosecutor's Office.

Ivan Chio, 20, and Ivy Chio, 18, both of Potomac Drive in the Basking Ridge section of Bernards Township, were arrested Tuesday following a search of their home, according to a news release from the Somerset County Prosecutor's Office.

The search by police and the prosecutor's office allegedly resulted in the seizure of approximately four ounces of marijuana, valued at about $2,500, and drug paraphernalia, including a grinder, digital scale and packaging material, according to the release from Somerset County Prosecutor Geoffrey Soriano, Bernards Chief Brian Bobowicz and other staff from the Somerset County Prosecutor's Office. 

Both defendants were lodged in the Somerset County Jail, authorities said. Bail was set at $15,000 with a 10 percent cash option for Ivan Chio, and $10,000 with a 10 percent cash option for Ivy Chio.

An undercover detective assigned to the Somerset County Prosecutor’s Office Organized Crime and Narcotics Task Force allegedly purchased a quantity of “Molly” (MDMA/ecstasy) from Ivan Chio in the Potomac Drive area on May 17, Soriano said.

Later, on June 4 and 17, the undercover detective also allegedly purchased marijuana from Ivan Chio while in the same location, said the release from the prosecutor's office.

On Tuesday, detectives from the Somerset County Prosecutor’s Office and the Bernards Township Police Department executed a search warrant on the Chios' home.

Ivan Chio was charged with distribution of a controlled dangerous substance (MDMA/ecstasy), third degree; two counts of distribution of a controlled dangerous substance, marijuana, fourth degree; possession of a controlled dangerous substance, marijuana, with intent to distribute, third degree; and possession of drug paraphernalia, a disorderly person offense.

Ivy Chio was charged with possession of a controlled dangerous substance, marijuana, with intent to distribute, third degree, and possession of drug paraphernalia, a disorderly persons offense.