Cops: Jeannette man attempted to flee undercover drug deal

Police say a Jeannette man was in possession of various drugs when he attempted to run from undercover state narcotics agents and city police as they closed in during a drug sting Tuesday.

Shelton A. “Pops” Hannibal, 26, was arraigned Wednesday on charges of illegal possession and delivery of controlled substances, illegal use of a communication facility and resisting arrest

Police say they found multiple pre-packaged “balls” of crack cocaine, synthetic marijuana, Suboxone strips, Xanax pills and other prescription pills on Hannibal when he was caught.

City patrolman James Phillips reported in court documents that, shortly after 3 p.m. Tuesday, narcotics officers and city police spotted him leaving a house in the vicinity of Columbia Court.

Minutes earlier, police say, a state narcotics agent had spoken with Hannibal by cellphone and set up the purchase of “a ball” of crack cocaine. According to Phillips, Hannibal had set a price of $240 and told them to look for him walking along “Columbia Court.”

When Hannibal saw police approaching, “Hannibal began to flee … and was subsequently taken to the ground and searched,” Phillips said.

In addition to seizing nine individually wrapped “balls” of crack cocaine, Phillips and agent Richard Castagna of the state attorney general’s office, allege Hannibal possessed a plastic bag containing synthetic marijuana, 18 Suboxone strips, 25 Xanax pills and more than 30 other prescription anxiety pills.

Police also confiscated $240 and two cell phones Hannibal was carrying, police reports said.

District Judge Joseph DeMarchis ordered Hannibal sent to the county prison after he failed to post $25,000 bond. A preliminary hearing is Nov. 21.