(PERRYVILLE, MD) – A traffic stop for an expired tag led to an arrest and the recovery of heroin packaged for street sales yesterday on I-95 in Cecil County.
The suspect is identified as Kerry J. Hampton, 29, of Fayetteville, NC. Hampton is charged with importation of heroin, possession with intent to distribute heroin, and possession of heroin. Following his initial appearance before a court commissioner, he was held in the Cecil County Detention Center on $150,000 bond.
At about 2:00 p.m. yesterday, a Maryland state trooper patrolling I-95 north of Rt. 222 in Cecil County stopped a southbound GMC Acadia for having an expired registration plate. The driver and sole occupant of the vehicle was identified as Hampton. Further investigation by the trooper led to a scan of the vehicle by a drug detection dog. The dog gave a positive alert for the odor of controlled substances. A search of the vehicle led to the recovery of two packages of heroin in the sun roof portion of the headliner.
Hampton was arrested without incident. The two packages recovered contained 750 individually packaged wax bags of heroin, ready for street sales. The estimated value of the heroin is $15,000.
This arrest and interdiction is part of the ongoing Maryland State Police initiative to combat heroin use and reduce the number of overdoses and deaths caused by this drug. Further information about overdose prevention and where to find help is available through the Maryland Department of Health and Mental Hygiene by calling 211 or at: http://bha.dhmh.maryland.gov/OVERDOSE_PREVENTION/SitePages/Home.aspx
