Routine traffic stop in Perryville results in major drug bust
A traffic stop led to two arrests last week when investigators with the Maryland State Police disrupted a drug trafficking distribution operation in Perryville, Maryland.
The accused are identified as Todd Powell, 33 and Heather Adkins, 34, of Perryville in Cecil County, Maryland. Both are charged with multiple illegal drug violations to include: possession with intent to distribute a controlled dangerous substance (heroin, cocaine), possession of methamphetamine and marijuana and possession of a large amount of heroin. Maryland law states a person can be charged with ‘possession of a large amount of heroin’ if the amount is 28 grams or more.
After further investigation, additional charges were placed against Powell. He was also charged with possession of a firearm, prohibited person/possession of a firearm, prohibited person/possession of ammunition.
Both Powell and Adkins were arrested without incident at the scene. Following their arrests, both Powell and Adkins were transported to the Cecil County Detention Center for their initial appearance. Both are currently being held without bond.
The arrests of the two suspects occurred at 1:15 a.m. on Wednesday, January 9, 2019, during a routine traffic stop on High Street in Elkton for multiple traffic violations. While conducting the traffic stop, troopers noticed several indicators of criminal activity. Subsequently, a State Police K-9 scan of the vehicle was requested from North East Barrack, and resulted in the presence of narcotics to include:
- 296 individually packaged bags of heroin secreted in magnetic container attached to the vehicle’s engine compartment (108.7 grams)
- 4 individual bags of cocaine (1.1 grams)
- 1 individual bag of crystal methamphetamine (1 gram)
- 2 glass jars containing marijuana (16.2 grams)
- U. S. currency believed to be related to the drug distribution operation
The investigation was led by the Maryland State Police Gang Enforcement Unit. Information developed during the investigation led to a court-ordered search of Powell’s residence in the 700 block of Aiken Avenue in Perryville, Maryland. During the search, additional narcotics and weapons were discovered to include:
- One Taurus PT738 .380 caliber semi-automatic pistol
- One magazine containing six .380 caliber cartridges
- One box of Blazer Brass .380 caliber ammunition
- One glass jar containing 75 individually packaged bags of heroin (36.5 grams)
- One plastic bag containing Psilocybin mushrooms (2 grams)
- Three plastic jars containing marijuana (3.2 grams)
- One plastic bag containing 9 Clozapine pills
The Maryland State Police continue to lead the investigation. The Cecil County State’s Attorney’s Office is actively involved in providing guidance and support to police during this investigation. The suspects charged will be prosecuted on those charges in Cecil County.
(Source: Maryland State Police)
~ Posted by: Richard Webster, Ace News Today / Connect with Richard on Facebook and Twitter