A Lakewood man who in 1997 admitted to leading a narcotics distribution network in Ocean and Monmouth counties was arrested with his brother and two others following a months-long investigation into cocaine trafficking, authorities said. Marcellus Cutler, 41, served nearly nine years in state prison, before being paroled in June 2006, for his role in moving large quantities of marijuana to New Jersey from California via the U.S. Postal Service. On Friday, he was again arrested on drug distribution charges, this time with his 50-year-old brother, Michael Cutler.

According to a statement issued by the Ocean County Prosecutor’s Office, township police and members of the county’s Special Operations Group found 50 grams of crack cocaine, cash and a digital scale when they raided a Warren Street home where the pair lived.

 Michael Cutler is charged with multiple counts of cocaine possession and attempted distribution as well as the illegal possession and sale of a handgun. He is being held at Ocean County Jail, Toms River in lieu of $250,000 cash bail.

Marcellus Cutler, also known as “Marcy,” is charged with cocaine possession, possession of drug paraphernalia and possession with the intent to distribute. His bail was set at $150,000 with no 10 percent payment option, and he is also being lodged at the county jail.

Also charged in the case is 52-year-old Curtis Fletcher, of Trenton, and 25-year-old Janetts Davis, of Route 166 in Toms River. They are also charged with possession of cocaine and possession with the intent to distribute and are being held in lieu of $75,000 bail each.

 Police said an investigation into the group’s trafficking is continuing and more arrests are expected.

At the time of his arrest in November 1996, Marcellus Cutler was labeled a “drug ring mastermind” for his coordination of a network that wired and laundered money from coast to coast while using freight and mail trucks to bring pot to Ocean County that was subsequently broken up among smaller dealers in Lakewood, Freehold, Asbury Park and Eatontown.

A month after his parole in the summer of 2006, his initial 25-year sentence was reduced by five years by a Superior Court judge who agreed Cutler had received inadequate legal representation during his trial. Matt Pais/APP