BERNARDSTON — Two Vermont men were arrested on charges of possession and intent to distribute heroin while driving north on Interstate 91 Tuesday night.
Shelburne Falls Barracks arrested Jesse Ramcke, 30, of Island Port, Vt., and Travis Pelletier, 27, on drug charges. The two were pulled over for speeding in a blue 2003 Chevrolet Malibu at around 10:30 p.m.
After a brief investigation, state police found 60 small bundles containing 600 wax paper bags filled with heroin under the car’s front floor, a police report states. Another bag was found in one of Pelletier’s pockets, and few hypodermic needles were found elsewhere in the car.
Later, after being arrested, the two men admitted to purchasing drugs in Connecticut, according to the report. It also says a woman — whose parents owned the car and who was paid $300 for its use — was issued a court summons.
Pelletier, who at first gave police false information, said he’d snorted heroin a few hours before the arrest.
Initially, Ramcke, the driver of the vehicle, was held on $5,000 bail and Pelletier was held on $10,000 bail at the Franklin County House of Correction.
Following arraignments in Greenfield District Court Wednesday afternoon, Ramcke was held on $1,000 cash bail, Pelletier on $2,500 cash bail.
The two men were charged with possessing Class A drugs with the intent to distribute, and conspiracy to violate drug law, among other charges.