HANOVER TWP., Pa. — A traffic stop by state police led to the arrest of two people, along with the seizure of large amounts of suspected fentanyl, crack cocaine, cash and two loaded firearms, according to court records.
Troopers said the incident began about 5:25 p.m. Aug. 20 when an undercover member of Troop M’s vice unit saw a vehicle pull into the Knights Inn off Airport Road.
According to the criminal complaint, the undercover trooper saw a woman briefly approach the car before the vehicle quickly left the area.
The vice officer then relayed the vehicle information via radio to other troopers.
A few minutes later, the Nissan Sentra was spotted traveling on North Irving Street near Dawn Drive in the township, where troopers said it crossed the center line twice before turning onto Lloyd Street.
The trooper pulled the car over after it drove into a cul-de-sac.
Police identified the driver as Alexis Rivera, 21, of Allentown, and the passenger as Jesus Manuel Pedro, 34, who provided a false name to law enforcement and had an active warrant out of Allentown for dangerous drugs.
Police: Search finds drugs, paraphernalia
During the stop, troopers said they saw several cell phones and rubber bands commonly used for packaging narcotics, and noticed other signs of possible criminal activity.
After Rivera consented to a vehicle search, investigators said they found:
- A large amount of suspected fentanyl and crack cocaine
- Glassine wax baggies, digital scales and sandwich bags
- A large sum of U.S. currency in a fanny pack
- Two loaded Glock semi-automatic pistols in a backpack in the trunk
Both men were taken to the state police barracks, where charges were approved by the Lehigh County District Attorney’s Office.
Each was charged with numerous felonies, including manufacture, delivery or possession with intent to manufacture or deliver and firearms not to be carried without a license.
Both were arraigned and sent to Lehigh County Jail in lieu of $100,000 bail with arraignments scheduled for this afternoon.
