Uniontown men charged in heroin bust
Masontown police said two Uniontown men are facing drug charges after officers found them in possession of a large cache of heroin in the borough late Tuesday.
James Rhoderick, 28, and Nicholas Panos, 25, were each charged with possession with intent to deliver heroin, possession of heroin and other drug related charges following a traffic stop on Route 21.
Masontown police Chief Joseph Ryan said the stop was made on the vehicle after Officer Tom O’Barto conducted several months of surveillance on the suspects regarding illegal drug activity in Masontown.
O’Barto said that when he stopped the vehicle, one occupant fled on foot and officers discovered 54 grams of heroin inside the car.
Additionally, Ryan said that police found a pellet gun and two wooden clubs inside the vehicle.
He added that the street value of the heroin, which was only partially cut, was between $30,000 and $40,000.
The incident marks the second time in less than a month that Masontown police have seized a large stash of heroin.
On Aug. 14 officers seized 14 grams of uncut heroin during a traffic stop.
The street value of the uncut drugs is about $20,000, Ryan said.
Charges remain pending in that case, police said.