BERNARDSTON – Three people were arrested on charges of trafficking narcotics after a traffic stop, according to state police.
Amanda Stacey, 35, of East Hardwick, Vt., Angela Limoges, 34, of Hyde Park, Vt., and Ricardo Romero, 43, of Jamaica, NY, were arrested after Shelburne State Trooper Michael Leslie located a total of 125 grams of cocaine, 71 grams of heroin and a small amount of prescription medication.
On Wednesday, Leslie was patrolling Route 91 in Bernardston when he observed a Hyundai Elantra with a defective license plate light and passenger side taillight. He caught up to the vehicle, activated his blue lights and siren, but noted it was very slow to pull over, according to a press release issued Sunday from State Police.
When the vehicle came to a full stop, Leslie approached the driver’s side window and identified the operator as Stacey. He also observed two other occupants in the vehicle, the release states.
While speaking to Stacey, Leslie observed paraphernalia commonly used in conjunction with crack cocaine along with an ax-style weapon at her side, according to the press release. For his safety, Stacey was removed from the vehicle and separated from the weapon while Leslie investigated.
After removing Stacey from the vehicle a small amount of crack and powder cocaine was located on her person, state police said. The front seat passenger, Limoges, and rear seat passenger, Romero, were removed from the vehicle in order to conduct a search.
During the search, Leslie located the cocaine, heroin and prescription medication, state police said.
All three occupants were placed under arrest and transported to the Shelburne Falls barracks for booking.
They were arraigned at Greenfield District Court the next day on the following charges:
Stacey was charged with trafficking heroin and cocaine, possession of Class A, B and E drugs, conspiracy to violate drug law, tampering with evidence, equipment violation and motor vehicle light violation.
Romero was charged with trafficking heroin and cocaine, possession of Class A, B and E drugs and conspiracy to violate drug law.
Limoges was charged with trafficking in heroin and cocaine, possession of Class A, B and E drugs, conspiracy to violate drug law and tampering with evidence.