Heroin stash confiscated in Greencastle drug bust

The Franklin County Drug Task Force processed several cases through the office of Magisterial District Judge Duane Cunningham last week.

Detectives had been at work in Greencastle. The highlight of one investigation was the apprehension of a man involved in trafficking heroin.

Frank Antonio Jones Jr., 29, 274 N. Carlisle St., was taken into custody Jan. 13 by Greencastle police. The Franklin County Drug Task Force asked police chief John Phillippy to bring him in for felony drug violations after it conducted a search at 12:45 p.m. at the home where Jones was staying.

Phillippy reported that Jones was also wanted in Maryland. During a search of his body, police found four bags of heroin in his underwear and buttocks, and cash and mobile phones in his pockets.

The task force found identifying documents, clothing and personal items belonging to Jones in the house on North Carlisle Street. They also discovered a large quantity of heroin — 37 grams in his backpack, a digital scale, packaging materials and cash.

Jones was charged with two counts of possession with intent to deliver a controlled substance, heroin. He was taken to Franklin County Jail, unable to post $100,000 bail. Online court records indicate he was originally from Baltimore. Maryland court records state its warrant was for first degree assault and theft.

According to the Maryland Judiciary website, Jones has a criminal history dating to 2004. Other charges include possession of firearms and ammunition as a minor, handgun on person, open container, attempted first degree murder, reckless endangerment, conspiracy to commit murder, violation of probation, murder first degree, drug possession, theft of motor vehicle, unregistered motorcycle and handgun in vehicle.

Cooperation

Phillippy spoke about the arrest of Jones.

“We have a good working relationship with the Franklin County Drug Task Force. This took a significant amount of heroin off the streets.”

He appreciated that the task force investigated cases in Greencastle.

Considering funds and limited manpower, the agency was doing “a phenomenal job They are doing more with less.”

Phillippy also warned that the community could not afford to live with its head in the sand.

“Because we are a small town doesn’t mean we don’t have large problems,” he said.

Other drug cases

The Franklin County Drug Task Force also dealt with other cases recently.

It charged Tyfani Renee Thomas, 19, 13790 Molly Pitcher Highway, with selling a controlled substance, MMDA, commonly known as ecstasy; and criminal use of a communication facility, for two incidents in 2014. At 1:44 p.m. Feb. 26 she sold four capsules to a  confidential informant from her home in Shangri-La Trailer Park, then again at 1:40 p.m. March 11.

A task force confidential informant also purchased 3.45 and 3.46 grams of marijuana from Denver James Edward Cordell, 21, 6292 Angle Road, on separate occasions. The two met at 721 Buchanan Trail E. for $60 transactions on May 27 at 8:11 p.m. and on July 15 at 7:32 p.m. Cordell was charged with manufacture, delivery or possession of a controlled substance with intent to manufacture or deliver, and criminal use of a communication facility.