A Schuylkill County Man was arrested earlier this month on drug charges in Hazleton.
According to the Hazleton Police Department, on Thursday, February 24th, 2022, at approximately 4:35pm, members of the Hazleton Police Department Patrol Division arrested Brent Markus, 26, of Cumbola, on felony drug charges, tampering with or fabricating physical evidence, and several summary traffic violations during a traffic stop on S. Church Street.
Patrolman Christopher Zubris was conducting traffic enforcement when he observed a Ford F-150 pickup truck showing an expired inspection sticker. A traffic stop was initiated in the area of the Auto Spa car wash. Upon activating emergency lights and sirens, Officers observed Markus throwing small items out of the passenger side window. Based on the Officers training and experience these items were consistent with the packaging of heroin and or fentanyl.
During contact with Markus, he was asked to step out of the vehicle and detained pending investigation. A search in the area of the discarded items, Officers located (5) bricks of heroin and or fentanyl, approximately 250 packets stamped “peace pipe” and a small amount of methamphetamine. Search incident to arrest revealed Markus to be in possession of $725.00 in US currency. Markus was charged with one felony count possession with intent to deliver a controlled substance, one count possession of a controlled substance, one count possession of drug paraphernalia, one count tampering with or fabricating physical evidence, operation of a motor vehicle without certificate of inspection, and required finical responsibility.
Markus was arraigned by on duty Magistrate Malloy and his bail was set at $95,000.00, unable to post bail, Markus was transported to the Luzerne County Correctional Facility.
During contact with Markus, he was asked to step out of the vehicle and detained pending investigation. A search in the area of the discarded items, Officers located (5) bricks of heroin and or fentanyl, approximately 250 packets stamped “peace pipe” and a small amount of methamphetamine. Search incident to arrest revealed Markus to be in possession of $725.00 in US currency. Markus was charged with one felony count possession with intent to deliver a controlled substance, one count possession of a controlled substance, one count possession of drug paraphernalia, one count tampering with or fabricating physical evidence, operation of a motor vehicle without certificate of inspection, and required finical responsibility.
Markus was arraigned by on duty Magistrate Malloy and his bail was set at $95,000.00, unable to post bail, Markus was transported to the Luzerne County Correctional Facility.