TRAFFIC STOP LEADS TO ARREST OF HEROIN SMUGGLER

(PERRYVILLE, MD) – A traffic stop yesterday on I-95 in Cecil County resulted in the arrest of a North Carolina man and the recovery of thousands of packages of suspected heroin ready for street sale, as well as more than $70,000 in suspected drug money.

The suspect is identified as Alterick W. Boyd, 37, of Grimesland, North Carolina. He is charged with importation of heroin into the state, possession of 28 grams or more of heroin, possession with intent to distribute heroin, possession of heroin, production of heroin, and possession of drug paraphernalia. He is being held in the Cecil County Detention Center on $200,000 bond.

At about 2:30 p.m. yesterday, a Maryland state trooper assigned to the JFK Highway Barrack stopped a 2006 Cadillac sport utility vehicle for following another vehicle too closely on southbound I-95, north of Perryville. During his contact with the driver and only occupant of the vehicle, later identified as Boyd, the trooper made numerous observations that prompted him to call a K-9 unit for a drug scan. The State Police drug dog made a positive alert on the vehicle and a probable cause search was conducted.

In the cargo area of the vehicle, the trooper found a box in which were 5,000 wax bindles, each containing what is suspected to be brown heroin. The wax bindles are often used to package heroin for street sales. Also in the box, the trooper found an additional package of suspected brown heroin, a quantity of powder used to cut heroin, several hundred empty wax bindles, and a grinder used to mix heroin with the cutting agent. The estimated street value of the heroin recovered is more than $100,000. The trooper also found two shoe boxes containing cash which totaled $78,655 and is believed to be drug-related money.

Boyd was placed under arrest and taken to the JFK Highway Barrack for processing. The vehicle he was driving was registered to him and was impounded by State Police. The investigation indicated Boyd was traveling from New Jersey back to North Carolina.