More than $75000 worth of drugs, gun, cash found at Lower Burrell home; 2 arrested – TribLIVE

Police arrested two Lower Burrell residents after they raided two Lower Burrell homes where they found more than $75,000 worth of drugs, drug paraphernalia, a loaded shotgun and $38,000.

Police on May 13 arrested Dalton Smith, 25, and Tessa Myers, 23, both of Lower Burrell, after searching their home on Thor Drive and a second site on Lori Drive.

The search warrant was secured as part of an investigation by the Westmoreland County Drug Task Force along with the Pennsylvania Attorney Generals Office, North Huntingdon police and Lower Burrell police, said Westmoreland County District Attorney Nicole Ziccarelli.

Items seized at the two locations on Thor and Lori drives included a loaded Kel-Tec shotgun, about 6 pounds of marijuana, 1.7 pounds of THC wax, 53 boxes of psilocybin mushrooms, 74 grams of Gold Coast vape cartridges, more than 400 THC vape cartridges, a vacuum sealer, a scale, various pills and a money counter, said Lower Burrell police Detective Steve Aulerich.

Police charged Smith with felony counts of possession of drugs with the intent to deliver and illegal possession of a firearm as well as counts of drug possession and resisting arrest.

Police charged Myers with manufacture, delivery or possession; possession of controlled substances; and use and possession of drug paraphernalia.

The first raid occurred about 9 a.m. May 13 when a marked Lower Burrell police cruiser parked in front of the house on Thor Drive with its emergency lights turned on, according to a criminal complaint.

Using a loudspeaker, police ordered occupants of the house to surrender.

After nobody responded, police tried to use a battering ram to get through the front door but had difficulty because Smith was pressing against it, the complaint said.

After police broke through the door, Smith fled down a hallway, closing a door behind him, police said. Police broke through that door and found Smith and Myers in a bathroom, according to the complaint.

Agents raided the home on Lori Drive after finding documents Smith had with that address listed.

Smith was charged with illegal possession of a firearm because he pleaded guilty to a felony in 2017 and is not permitted to have a gun.

I thank the members of the Westmoreland County Drug Task Force, the Pennsylvania Office of Attorney General and local officers from North Huntingdon, Lower Burrell and Arnold for their dedication and commitment to fight the war on drugs in our county, Ziccarelli said in a news release. This is of paramount importance to my office and the safety and security of our communities.

Smith and Myers are in the Westmoreland County jail. Smiths bail was set at $20,000, and Myers bail was set at 10% of $20,000.

Their preliminary hearings are scheduled for 10 a.m. May 24 before District Judge Tamara Mahady in Unity.

Staff writer Tony LaRussa contributed.

Mary Ann Thomas is a Tribune-Review staff writer. You can contact Mary at 724-226-4691, mthomas@triblive.com or via Twitter .

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More than $75000 worth of drugs, gun, cash found at Lower Burrell home; 2 arrested - TribLIVE