Delaware man pulled over on turnpike near New Stanton accused of concealing heroin

After pulling over a Delaware driver on Friday in Mt. Pleasant Township for following another vehicle too closely on the Pennsylvania Turnpike, state police discovered seven bulk packages of suspected heroin hidden inside a compartment built into his SUV, according to court documents.

Jaime Cruz, 40, of Wilmington, was driving westbound, just east of the New Stanton interchange, when he was stopped in his 2007 Mazda CX-9 for tailgating, according to court documents filed by Trooper Ryan Marmol.

Troopers discovered Cruz was driving on a suspended Delaware driver’s license and he consented to a search of the vehicle, Marmol reported.

During the search, troopers discovered several bulk packages of suspected contraband in a “specialty fabricated compartment” inside the center console. The specific amount seized was not listed in court documents. The trooper could not be reached for comment.

Cruz was arraigned before District Judge Frank Pallone of New Kensington on charges of possession with intent to deliver a controlled substance and possession of a heroin. He was ordered held in the county prison on $5,000 bond. A preliminary hearing is scheduled Feb. 13 in Norvelt.