Delaware State Police Seize 2.3 Kilograms of Cocaine in Interstate Traffic Stop
Delaware State Police arrested a North Carolina man and seized 2.3 kilograms of cocaine during a traffic stop on I-95. The suspect faces multiple felony drug charges and is being held on $120,801 cash bond. Separate drug investigations in West Virginia and Ohio also resulted in arrests and seizures of fentanyl, methamphetamine, firearms, and child pornography.
The Delaware State Police arrested a North Carolina man and seized over two kilograms of cocaine following a traffic stop on Interstate 95 in Wilmington. James Pyrtle, 55, of Whitsett, North Carolina, was taken into custody on Sunday morning after a narcotics K9 alerted to the presence of drugs in his vehicle.
During a search of the Ford Edge, troopers recovered approximately 2,287 grams of suspected cocaine, six oxycodone hydrochloride pills, three tramadol hydrochloride pills, and three alprazolam pills. The traffic stop was initiated after a trooper observed a registration violation on the vehicle while patrolling I-95 southbound near Marsh Road.
Pyrtle was charged with possession of a controlled substance Tier 3 quantity (felony), possession with intent to deliver controlled substance Tier 3 quantity (felony), four counts of possession of a controlled substance, and expired tags. He was arraigned by Justice of the Peace Court 11 and committed to the Howard R. Young Correctional Institution on a $120,801 cash bond.
In separate incidents in West Virginia and Ohio, law enforcement made additional drug-related arrests. In Chapmanville, West Virginia, two men were arrested after troopers responded to complaints about drug activity and reports of residents being held against their will. Troopers seized a large amount of suspected fentanyl, multiple firearms, and a large sum of cash from the residence.
In Meigs County, Ohio, two people were arrested after sheriff's deputies found drugs, guns, and child pornography in their home. Investigators seized a large amount of meth and fentanyl, as well as firearms, and discovered child pornography on electronic devices inside the residence. Three children were in the home at the time, prompting contact with Child Protective Services.