May 2, 2007 By Josh Krysak 2 min read

State police, making a routine traffic stop in Uniontown Monday, found much more than they expected when the troopers discovered several pounds of cocaine in the car. A passenger in the car, Tyree Truley, 29, of Uniontown was arraigned on multiple drug-related charges before Magisterial District Judge Jesse Cramer Monday evening.

According to trooper Chris Lieberum, police found about one kilogram, or 2.2 pounds of cocaine, in the car after stopping Truley and driver Erin Tantlinger, no address given, on Connellsville Street, about two blocks from the Uniontown High School.

Lieberum said police stopped the vehicle because the windows were heavily tinted and were in violation of vehicle code.

He said that during the stop they also discovered Truley had a permitted handgun.

Lieberum said Truley was taken into custody at the scene without incident.

The substantial amount of drugs found in the car was the second drug bust in a month in Uniontown where at least one kilogram of cocaine was seized.

On April 8, the Fayette County Drug Task Force found a kilogram of cocaine in a home on Millview Street.

One kilogram, or kilo, of cocaine contains 1,000 grams with each gram selling for about $100 on the street, making a kilo of cocaine worth about $100,000.

Uniontown Police Sgt. Wayne Brown assisted in the search of the car with police dog Brutus.

Sgt. James Caccimelio said Truley does not have a criminal record but did confirm that he was involved in a shooting incident last month in Uniontown.

In that incident, Uniontown police said that four men armed with handguns tied up Mallory Ferdinandus of Uniontown, threatened her life and then engaged in a shootout with Truley outside a home on McCormick Avenue in early April.

While the intruders had tied Ferdinandus up in the home Truley told police he arrived at the residence and saw two men on his back porch, Uniontown Detective Jason A. Cox said. The men pulled out handguns and started firing at Truley who returned fire with a .40-caliber Desert Eagle.

The men fled the scene on foot, police said.

According to Truley, the men stole a Kel Tec 9mm and a .40-caliber Glock from the home.

Following his arrest Monday, Truley was placed in the Fayette County Prison on $75,000 bond.

A preliminary hearing will be held before Magisterial District Judge Mark L. Blair.