What began as a routine investigation into a report that someone was passed out in a truck has led to one of the largest heroin seizures in recent Braxton County history.
Braxton County Sheriff’s Deputies Andrew Jordan and Cleve Westfall received a report at approximately 3:50 p.m. Monday, September 2 of an unconscious male subject in a truck in the vicinity of the 1100 block of Bug Ridge Road. Upon arrival officers located the male and recognized him from previous encounters. Deputies suspected that his current state might possibly be drug induced.
Shortly after the officers arrived, the subject became responsive. During a search of the individual, Deputies discovered a piece of tin foil in his pocket with residue of a white powder substance. He told officials that he got the drugs from Amber Kowalski at 3089 Bug Ridge Road.
West Virginia State Trooper A. L Groves intercepted Kowalski and Pliant Smith Jr. on an ATV 4-wheeler near the residences. During the Troopers investigation, several small containers of what Kowalski stated was heroin was found in her purse.
Officers obtained a search warrant for the residents. During that search, 2,130 packets or stamps as they are referred to, were confiscated. In addition, $1,060 in cash was also seized. Officers estimate the street value of the drugs to be over $40,000. Kowalski, Smith and a third person at the residence, identified as Tre Carr, were all arrested and charged with felony possession of an illegal substance with the intent to deliver and conspiracy. All three were taken to the Central Regional Jail to await arraignment. No additional information was available at press time. The investigation is continuing.