TROOPERS CAPTURE DRUG SMUGGLERS AFTER PURSUIT

(PERRYVILLE, MD) – Two Virginia men are under arrest this morning facing multiple felony drug charges after they were captured by troopers on I-95 yesterday following a pursuit and the recovery of suspected heroin.

The suspects are identified as Nikike R. Tyler, 31, and Melvin R. Jones, 32, both of Richmond, Va. Both are charged with importation of heroin into the state, unlawful possession of a large amount of a controlled dangerous substance, possession of a controlled dangerous substance with intent to distribute, and possession of heroin. In addition, Tyler is charged with possession of marijuana, possession of drug paraphernalia, hindering an investigation, resisting arrest and multiple traffic charges including fleeing and eluding, reckless driving, negligent driving, and speeding.

Shortly after 2:00 p.m. yesterday, a trooper on a special traffic enforcement team from the JFK Highway Barrack stopped a 1997 Ford pickup on southbound I-95 south of Perryville for an equipment violation. The trooper made contact with the two occupants of the vehicle, later identified as Tyler and Jones. The trooper detected the smell of marijuana coming from the vehicle and made a number of other observations that indicated criminal activity, just as another trooper stopped at the scene.

Jones, who had been driving the truck, was out of the vehicle and yelled to Tyler. Tyler jumped into the driver’s seat of the truck and fled the scene. One trooper took Jones into custody while the other pursued Tyler in the pickup.

The suspect headed south on I-95 and exited onto northbound Rt. 543. He turned right onto Rt. 136, then headed east on Rt. 22. Harford County Sheriff’s Office deputies deployed the first set of stop sticks and a trooper from the Bel Air Barrack deployed a second set just before the exit to southbound I-95.

With one of the truck tires disintegrated, Tyler continued south on I-95 until he exited at the Maryland House rest area. At that time, troopers initiated a rolling roadblock and were able to force the suspect vehicle to stop, at which time Tyler was arrested. No troopers or deputies were injured and no police cars were damaged.

During the pursuit, troopers saw Tyler moving around in the truck before eventually throwing something out the window. Troopers recovered the item and found it to be a kilo-sized heat sealed plastic bag with suspected heroin inside. Apparently, water had been poured on it in an attempt to destroy it. The bag contained almost 49 grams of heroin, more than four times the amount needed for the felony charge of importation of heroin. More than nine grams of heroin were found on Jones when he was searched. Troopers also found more than ten grams of marijuana in the truck.