HARRISBURG, PA — A routine traffic stop along Interstate 99 culminated a months-long investigation into an alleged cocaine trafficking operation, leading to the arrest of a Blair County couple accused of transporting large quantities of drugs from New Jersey for street-level distribution.
Attorney General Dave Sunday and Pennsylvania State Police announced that Quida Martens, 54, and Toya Kennedy, 32, both of Altoona and formerly of Newark, New Jersey, were arrested Thursday following the stop. Investigators allege the pair brought approximately a kilogram of cocaine into Blair County for sale.
Kennedy also faces a felony charge of child endangerment after authorities said her young child was inside the vehicle during the alleged drug run. The child was later placed in the care of a relative.
According to investigators, the Office of Attorney General had been tracking the couple for months, suspecting repeated trips to Newark to obtain cocaine. On Wednesday night, Pennsylvania State Police, working in coordination with the Attorney General’s Office, stopped Kennedy’s vehicle on Interstate 99. A subsequent search warrant led to the discovery of roughly two pounds of cocaine concealed in the trunk alongside a string of Christmas lights. Authorities estimate the alleged street value of the drugs at $90,700.
Martens, who authorities said was already out on bail in an unrelated drug trafficking case, was arraigned on the new charges and committed to Blair County Prison on $400,000 cash bail. Kennedy was also arraigned and committed to the county prison, with bail set at $250,000 cash.
Attorney General Sunday credited the outcome to coordinated law enforcement efforts, saying the seizure prevented a significant quantity of cocaine from reaching local communities. State police officials echoed that assessment, highlighting cooperation among the Pennsylvania State Police Troop G Vice Unit, the Incident Reaction Team, the Office of Attorney General, and the Blair County Drug Task Force, with assistance from the Tyrone and Bellwood police departments.
All charges filed in the case are allegations. As with all criminal matters, a suspect, arrestee, or defendant is presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.
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