WILMINGTON, DE — A North Carolina man faces multiple felony drug charges after a traffic stop on Interstate 95 led to the discovery of suspected narcotics, according to Delaware State Police.
Police said the incident occurred at approximately 11:00 a.m. Sunday, March 29, when a trooper observed a Ford Edge traveling southbound on I-95 near Marsh Road with a registration violation.
According to state police, the vehicle was stopped and the driver, identified as James Pyrtle, 55, of Whitsett, North Carolina, was contacted. During the interaction, the trooper reportedly became suspicious of possible drug trafficking activity and requested a narcotics K9.
Authorities said a New Castle County Police K9 responded and alerted to the presence of narcotics in the vehicle. A subsequent search of the vehicle allegedly resulted in the recovery of approximately 2,287 grams of suspected cocaine, along with oxycodone, tramadol, and alprazolam pills.
Police reported Pyrtle was taken into custody and transported to Troop 1. According to investigators, he has been charged with possession of a controlled substance in a Tier 3 quantity, possession with intent to deliver a controlled substance in a Tier 3 quantity, four counts of possession of a controlled substance, and expired registration.
Authorities said Pyrtle was arraigned at Justice of the Peace Court 11 and committed to the Howard R. Young Correctional Institution on $120,801 cash bail.
All suspects, arrestees, and defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.
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