Shared Responsibility

Police seize 157.4 grams of cocaine

Written by The Dailly collegian Online - Brendan McNally Monday, 19 April 2010 11:22

Police arrested three individuals Friday who authorities say attempted to bring $17,425 worth of cocaine, ecstasy and marijuana from New York City to Centre County.

Police seized 157.4 grams of cocaine, 200 ecstasy tablets, 27 grams of marijuana and $901 in cash, according to the press release.

Christopher Raphael Lora, 20, Clorisa Elaine Rodriguez, 19, and George Flores, 30, were transporting the drugs from their hometown of New York, N.Y., to State College, according to a press release from Centre County District Attorney Stacy Parks Miller.

Lora was charged with possession with intent to deliver cocaine, delivery of cocaine and possession of cocaine, according to the release. Rodriguez was charged with possession with intent to deliver ecstasy tablets, possession of ecstasy tablets and possession of marijuana, according to the release.

Flores is not currently facing charges in connection with the incident but was arrested after officers discovered he is wanted by New York law enforcement, according to the release.

"This is a great example of how proactive police work prevents significant amounts of drugs from reaching the streets of Centre County," Parks Miller said in the release.

The arrests were made after police began an investigation based on a tip they received that a large amount of cocaine would be transported from New York to State College, according to the release. As a result of the investigation, the Centre County Drug Task Force (CCDTF) and the Bureau of Narcotics Investigation (BNI) made the arrests on the 700 block of Vairo Boulevard in Patton Township with the help of Patton Township and State College police, according to the release.

District Justice Thomas Jordan arraigned each individual Friday and sent them all to the Centre County Correctional Facility, according to the release. Lora and Rodriguez, both of Bronx, N.Y., were each committed on $50,000 straight cash bail, while Flores, of New York, N.Y. is being held on $100,000 straight cash bail, Centre County Correctional Facility officials said.