Sunday, August 14, 2022

Traffic Stop in Pottsville Leads to Finding of Meth and Fentanyl

A traffic stop earlier this month led to the arrest of a Pottsville man when meth and fentanyl were found in his vehicle.

According to the Pennsylvania State Police at Schuylkill Haven, on August 3rd, 2022 around 9:50pm, a traffic stop was conducted on a vehicle in the area of North Centre Street and West Laurel Boulevard.

The driver, John Bartel, 62, of Pottsville, was taken into custody after a "significant" amount of drugs were found in the vehicle.

Troopers say approximately 58g of methamphetamine, 1,372 bags of suspected fentanyl, and assorted drug paraphernalia were seized from the vehicle.

As a result of the finding, Bartel was charged with possession with intent to deliver a control substance and possession of drug paraphernalia.

He was also issued a summary charge for driving with a suspended/revoked license.

Bartel was arraigned before on-call Magisterial District Judge Kilker and locked up in Schuylkill County Prison on $75,000 straight cash bail.

Bartel will appear before Magisterial District Judge James Reiley on Monday, August 15th, 2022 for a preliminary hearing.