Aug 30, 2010 By Herald Standard Staff 2 min read

A West Virginia man is in jail after being arrested today with almost a half-million dollars worth of heroin in his possession, the largest amount to ever be confiscated in Fayette County history. Fayette County Drug Task Force Detective Ryan Reese said Gary A. Rose II, 24, of Morgantown, W.Va., was found with 1 pound of heroin during an undercover operation in Connellsville.

One pound of heroin is valued at $450,000 and equals about 22,400 stamp bags, which are sold separately on the streets to drug users. Reese said a stamp bag sells for about $20 each.

“This obviously is vastly superior to any other heroin buy we have ever known in Fayette County history,” said Fayette County District Attorney Jack R. Heneks Jr., who oversees the task force.

Rose was arraigned on a felony count of possession with intent to deliver the heroin before Magisterial District Judge Ronald Haggerty Jr.

Rose also faces felony charges for possession of firearms not to be carried without a license. In addition, he was charged with possession of a controlled substance and possession of drug paraphernalia.

Haggerty set bail at $100,000 straight cash. Rose was taken to Fayette County Prison after failing to post bond. His preliminary hearing will be held at a later date before Haggerty.

For more information, read Rebekah Sungala’s story Tuesday in the Herald-Standard.