State Police Bust Traffickers in Western Mass

A Mass State Trooper with the help of back up bagged and tagged 3 perps following a traffic stop last week.  An alert Trooper keeping an eye on traffic on Route 91 in Greenfield ran a plate they believed was expired.  During the stop the operator’s license and registration was confirmed as expired.  In processing the vehicle for towing, an inventory of the car’s content, drugs, a scale and weapon were found.

The three alleged drug pushers were arrested and charged with over 9 serious charges.  Bail was set at $50,000 each for all three.  The full story on the bust and picture of the smack confiscated was posted on the State police Facebook page which we included below.

Massachusetts State Police

MSP Arrest Three for Trafficking.

On Thursday October 15th a Trooper working out of the Shelburne Falls Barracks was monitoring traffic on Route 91 in the City of Greenfield. At around 8:10 p.m. he observed a gray Toyota SUV pass his location. A registry query of the license plate revealed the registration on the New York plate to be expired. The Trooper caught up to the Toyota and clocked it traveling at 84 MPH in a posted 65 MPH zone.

The Trooper stopped the Toyota which had three occupants. The rear passenger, JOANNE MITCHELL, 29, of ST Johnsbury VT, was not wearing a seat belt. The Trooper informed the operator, LANCE HARPER, 28, of New York NY, of the reason for the stop. The operator gave his license and the registration which confirmed it was expired. The Trooper requested a tow for the vehicle. Another Trooper arrived as back up and the occupants were removed and the vehicle inventoried.

The inventory revealed a scale with white powder consistent with cocaine on it. Further investigation located 193 grams of cocaine, 180 wax bags containing suspected Fentanyl, a knife with white powder and a .45 caliber Glock model 30 with nine live cartridges.

HARPER, MITCHELL and the front passenger, JERMAINE TAYLOR, 48, of Brooklyn NY were all placed under arrest.

All three were charged with:

1. Trafficking in cocaine;
2. Drug, Possess to distribute Class A;
3. Conspiracy to violate drug law;
4. Carrying a loaded firearm;
5. Possessing a firearm in the commission of a felony;
6. Improper storage of a firearm;
7. Possession/carrying a firearm;
8. Possession of a firearm without an FID card;
9. Possession if ammunition without an FID card

HARPER was also charged with:

1. Convicted Felon in possession of a firearm;
2. Unregistered vehicle;
3. Speeding

TAYLOR was also charged with:

1. Convicted Felon in possession of a firearm;
2. Tampering with evidence

MITCHELL was also charges with:

1. Arrestee furnishing false name;
2. Failure to wear seat belt

Bail was set at $50,000 each. All three were transferred to the Franklin County House of Correction.