A man stopped for driving erratically Friday on Interstate 80 in Centre County had more than eight pounds of cocaine in the trunk of his car, according to state police at Rockview.
Zariel Melendez, 32, of Puerto Rico, was driving 60 mph in a 70 mph zone, weaving and crossed over the fog line numerous times at about 12:30 p.m. around mile 163 westbound in Marion Township, according to an affidavit of probable cause.
After being pulled over, Melendez told a state trooper that he was returning in a rental car from New York to Cleveland, where he was currently staying. The trooper wrote that during the traffic stop interview, “indicators of Melendez being involved in criminal activity were observed and reasonable suspicion was established.”
Melendez denied a request to search the car, and a drug-detecting canine brought to the scene alerted troopers to the odor of a controlled substance, according to the affidavit. Melendez again denied consent to search the vehicle, and the car was towed to the Rockview barracks, police wrote.
After a search warrant was authorized, a trooper found a bag in the trunk with four wrapped packages that were tested and determined to contain four kilograms, or 8.8 pounds, of cocaine, according to the affidavit.
Police wrote in a public information report that the cocaine has an estimated street value of more than $170,000.
Melendez is charged with one felony count of possession with intent to deliver, misdemeanor counts of possession of a controlled substance and drug paraphernalia and a summary traffic offense.
He was arraigned on Friday night by District Judge Casey McClain, who denied bail citing flight risk, and is incarcerated at the Centre County Correctional Facility.
A preliminary hearing is scheduled for April 2.
