Man's Vending Machines Were Selling Marijuana Illegally Across NJ, Prosecutor Says
By Karen Wall
Published on April 22, 2026.
Ben Gross, 40, of Toms River, New Jersey, was arrested after a 26-month investigation that identified him as the owner of Barbwire, the vending machine company. 80 vending machines across New Jersey were seized, with Gross earning between $17,000 and $20,000 per day from the machines. Other arrests also included Delma Canales-Garcia, her wife, and Carlos Sanchez-Castillo, who were at the warehouse at the time of the search. The searches also yielded over 100 pounds of flower marijuana, 5 pounds of hashish, several hundred pounds of THC-infused candy, and THC-enhanced vaping products. While marijuana possession is legal for adults under certain circumstances in New Jersey but it is illegal to sell marijuana without proper licensing.
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