MONTOUR COUNTY -- State police have made another big drug bust on Interstate 80 in Montour County.
"It seems fairly par for the course at this point. This is I think the sixth or seventh fairly significant drug bust we've seen here in Montour on Interstate 80 by state police in the last four or five months. At this point, it’s becoming fairly routine,” said Montour County District Attorney Angela Mattis.
State police have a unit called SHIELD. Troopers are specially trained to spot criminal activity during traffic stops.
Reports show they've been busy along Interstate 80 in recent months, especially between the Danville and Limestoneville exits.
State police cannot say for sure why that is.
"We've seen 225 pounds of marijuana seized just in the last 12 months alone, so for the tiniest county in the state, that's fairly significant. We've seen over 150 tablets of oxycodone. We're at over 125 grams of cocaine in addition to a variety of other drugs,” said Mattis.
News of the big busts on the interstate are not surprising to some.
"Not with the way the drugs are around anymore, you know?" said Matt Shipe of Danville.
Geographically, Montour County is the smallest county in Pennsylvania. It's the sixth smallest according to population.
The district attorney and others say making these big drug busts on the interstate is something to be proud of.
"It's a little scary to think that much is going through this area, but it's also good to hear the authorities are doing the right thing to get it off the streets,” said Brad Bason of Danville.
"For criminals trafficking illegal substances, Montour County is becoming an increasingly risky place to do so and frankly that's just how we like it,” said Mattis.
The district attorney says there is no telling exactly where those drugs are heading; some may be staying in the area.
Most of those arrested in connection with the interstate drug busts are not from central or northeastern Pennsylvania.
JessicaInWilliamsport
I’d rather see some big busts on the human trafficking around here. PA is one of the worst states for it.
BERRIOS
Ya that is disgusting. At least the state cops are doing some interstate drug busts. I mean some of these township and borough cops have no clue what goes on.
Williamsport died in 1989
Obviously Jessica is ok with the deteriorated conditions of her hometown of Williamsport. I must ask, Jessica, are you one of THOSE PEOPLE originally from Philadelphia? Or maybe your parents are?
BERRIOS
Hazleton and WB died in 1999. The skook maybe 1989.
BERRIOS
Huge drug demand it seems in WB, hazleton, norry and the skook. . 80 and 81 have to be flowing with the drug supply chain. This should be no doubt a common occurrence.
scurfie
Surprised? It’s been known for YEARS the back roads to Williamsport are crawling with drug runners.
Sal
The slobs have plenty of options where to unload their slime….between 80, 78, 476 and 95…. pathetic.
Sal
They should hang every one of these pigs they catch riding dirty….all they want to do is destroy our children….lets destroy them instead. Good job PSP!!
buzzed driver
Not “big” busts for what is really traveling on those roads .
Sal
Its a good start, dummy…
Hmm
“A good start?” START? Drug running has been happening on NEPA highways for 40 years now. And authorities are just “starting?” Ya, good start!
Jack Irvin
It is a crime that weed is not legal
pot smoker
Yet Federally illegal , Yet Obama let states seek money off dope heads , CA $ Co are seeing all the adverse effects of pot and the cost to the states welfare system and loss of production . No pot needs to stay illegal
Learn the facts
Can’t tell if you are ignorant or just trolling.
cheap tightwad
Your U turn idea had been tried already. I 80 was rebadged I 95 going into NYC, same road new signs. They tried to be sneaky already, I 80 goes through the big bucks part of New Jersey.
Sal
F Jersey….the armpit of America
Jay
Sal, clearly you’ve never been to northeastern PA.
Keystone cops
The District Attorney says, “There is no telling exactly where those drugs are heading.” Oh really? Ever here of investigating something? Where do we get some of authoritative figures from anyways?
Correction
HEAR (for all you proofreaders)
Chris Hansen
They come here to sell to your children. People need to raise their children better