ATLAS - Two people from Reading stand accused of selling 50 bags of heroin to a confidential informant Thursday at a convenience store in Mount Carmel Township.
Luis Alberto Ortiz and Destanie Nicole Soto allegedly drove to Turkey Hill at Routes 61 and 54 about 7:30 p.m. to make the deal, according to police.
After the transaction was made, the pair started out for a return trip to Berks County. That trip was cut short when officers of Northumberland-Montour County Drug Task Force stopped their vehicle on the Merriam Highway and recovered an additional 12 bags of heroin and an unreported amount of marijuana and cash, according to police.
Both were arrested and arraigned on multiple charges, with each jailed in Northumberland County Prison - Ortiz on $100,000 cash bail and Soto on $50,000 cash bail - where they remained Friday afternoon.
Ortiz, 21, of 139 Rose St., faces two counts each of possession with intent to deliver heroin and criminal conspiracy and one count each of criminal use of a communication facility, possession of heroin, possession of drug paraphernalia and driving under the influence.
Soto, 22, of 1515 Hill Road, Apartment B-4, faces two counts of criminal conspiracy and one count each of possession with intent to deliver heroin, possession of marijuana and possession of drug paraphernalia.
Charges were filed by Sgt. Todd Owens and Patrolman Matthew Dillman, both of Mount Carmel Police. Assisting were officers from Mount Carmel, Mount Carmel Township and Shamokin, along with a state police drug recognition expert.