Crime & Safety

150 Bags of Heroin Found in Route 15 Traffic Stop, Police Say

Sussex couple faces drug charges following motor vehicle stop Tuesday near Jefferson border.

A Sussex couple is accused of having 150 bags of heroin following a motor vehicle stop Tuesday on Route 15 near the Jefferson Township border, Sparta Police said.

Tiffany Connelly, 26, was charged with possession of heroin, possession of drug paraphernalia, hindering apprehension by providing false information to a law enforcement officer, possession of a controlled dangerous substance in a motor vehicle, driving while suspended and several documented offenses.

Michael J. Bello, 32, was charged with possession of heroin, possession of drug paraphernalia and failure to wear a seat belt.

Cpl. Marc Rubino initiated the stop of the vehicle that was traveling northbound on Route 15 near the Jefferson border when he saw the passenger, Bello, not wearing his seat belt at about 2 p.m. Tuesday, Sgt. John-Paul Beebe said.

Connelly, the driver of the vehicle, told officers she didn't have her license on her but identified herself as 20-year-old Chelsea E. Connelly, Beebe said. Connelly later admitted giving a false first name and date of birth, Beebe said.

Bello was "extremely lethargic and had difficulty staying awake and speaking to the officer," according to Beebe. Officer Scott Elig observed a fresh, bloody injection mark on his arm, Beebe said.

Connelly and Bello gave conflicting stories about where they were coming from and where they were going, Beebe said. Connelly gave a written consent to search the vehicle that turned up "numerous pieces of drug paraphernalia" from the rear passenger seat, Beebe said.

Hopatcong Police K-9 Officer Thomas Snyder and K-9 Eli assisted with the search of the vehicle and found 150 glassine bags containing heroin in the trunk, Beebe said.

The two were charged and released on their own recognizance with a court date set for Nov. 14 at 8:30 a.m.


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