Altoona police arrested nine people after a multi-agency investigation resulted in the seizure of thousands of dollars in cash and a big quantity of drugs.
According to an Altoona Police Department Facebook post, a traffic stop was made at 1809 7th Avenue after an officer spotted many traffic violations and suspicious activities associated with narcotics sales.
During the encounter, officers reported seeing indicators of drug impairment and receiving a positive narcotics alert from K-9 Blue. A search warrant of the vehicle resulted in the seizure of drug paraphernalia and suspected heroin/fentanyl. Tituscott Pott, Linda Cowher, and Tiffani Jenkins were arrested and charged with drug-related offenses, according to the post.
During questioning, officials said Cowher supplied information about ongoing heroin and fentanyl trafficking at 1809 7th Avenue. Cowher also revealed that Danelle Garland had been selling narcotics from her home, especially to minors, and referred to the heroin/fentanyl stamp as “activity,” according to investigators.
Following these disclosures, investigators stated that they acquired and executed a search warrant at the property. However, before entering the residence, police said they saw Robert Hecker leaving the residence visibly under the influence of drugs and placed him under arrest.
Officers said Heckler had heroin/fentanyl, specifically three stamped bags of “Activity.”
Police detained four people following the search warrant: Danelle Garland, Brooke McGeary, Jessica Reed, and Travis Lightner, and collected around 60 pounds of suspected heroin/fentanyl, 17.5 oxycodone pills, and $3,885.
In an interview with police, Garland allegedly admitted to selling fentanyl from the residence, identified a Pittsburgh-based supplier known as “Sicko,” and agreed to place monitored phone calls to arrange a drug delivery from the supplier.
Authorities said they believe “Sicko” is Anthony Jackson of Pittsburgh, who they were able to track down as he was delivering about 15 bricks of heroin/fentanyl to Altoona.
When Jackson arrived at the property, he allegedly disregarded police demands and escaped in his vehicle, leading police on a high-speed pursuit through Altoona and onto Interstate 99.
The pursuit allegedly halted when Jackson’s car got damaged after colliding with a police cruiser. Jackson was brought into jail, and no one was harmed in the incident.
Officers said they recovered a sleeve of suspected heroin/fentanyl from his person and noticed other suspected drugs inside his vehicle.
A search warrant was performed on Jackson’s vehicle, resulting in the seizure of three sleeves of suspected heroin/fentanyl, equivalent to 15 bricks or 750 stamp bags, $728, and a cell phone, according to the report. The overall street value of the heroin/fentanyl seized throughout the investigation is allegedly $16,200.
According to Altoona police, Jackson and Garland were charged with possession with intent to distribute and conspiracy, and both were sent to Blair County Prison, Central Booking, for arraignment. According to officers, Jackson was also charged with fleeing and eluding, among other offenses.
Neither Garland nor Jackson was able to post bail, at $1 million and $2 million straight cash, respectively, and were committed to the Blair County Prison, according to police.
According to authorities, Potts, Jenkins, McGeary, Reed, Lightner, and Hecker were all charged with comparable felonies before being freed. Cowher was taken to Blair County Prison on an outstanding warrant.
Police reported huge amounts of heroin/fentanyl, oxycodone, US currency, and drug paraphernalia were recovered as part of organization “Last Dose,” which also interrupted an ongoing drug trafficking organization delivering drugs from Pittsburgh to the Altoona region.
The Pennsylvania State Police, Tyrone Police Department, Logan Township Police Department, Blair County Sheriff’s Department, and Pennsylvania Office of Attorney General agents all worked on the investigation.
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