Vandergrift police make big meth, heroin haul

An Armstrong County man arrested Tuesday in Vandergrift is accused of having more than $11,000 of crystal methamphetamine and almost three “bricks” of heroin.

Monty Gene Smith II, 35, of West Lebanon Road, South Bend Township, was arrested without incident in a residence along the 300 block of Emerson Street just before 5 p.m.

About one pound, 6 ounces of meth was found inside a safe and elsewhere in the residence and a Chevrolet Geo Tracker being used by Smith, according to a police report.

Police said that much crystal meth sells for about $11,000.

The 148 heroin packets sell for about $10 each, or $1,480.

A woman who was there will be charged later with having a paraphernalia, Patrolman Nathaniel Rigatti said. He said Westmoreland County Detective John Clark helped on the case.

Smith is facing felony drug manufacturing and delivery or possession with intent to deliver charges, and misdemeanor possession or use.

Smith was arraigned Wednesday by District Judge Cheryl Peck Yakopec and sent to the Westmoreland County Prison pending a Nov. 5 preliminary hearing.

He was ordered held on $3,000 bail.

After that hearing, Smith’s bail was increased to $50,000 for another meth case in front of District Judge Jason Buczak.

In that case, Smith and three others were charged last spring in Salem Township with having about 21 grams of meth.

The arrests were made March 15 along Route 22 in Salem Township. An SUV driver was pulled over by a trooper for allegedly speeding at 70 mph in a 55 mph zone.

Police say meth sales are increasing since a record bust by state police in 2018.