Two alleged drug dealers have been captured, thanks to a joint effort between state and city police.
Steven E.A. Lopez-Temple, 25, of 650 Fourth Ave., Williamsport, faces felony charges of conspiracy to manufacture and deliver controlled substances, conspiracy possession of marijuana and possession of paraphernalia.
His alleged partner, Derrick V. Draft, 19, of Philadelphia, faces charges that include tampering with evidence and trespassing.
On March 30, state police attempted to stop a vehicle on Elmira Street. When the driver saw the police lights turn on, he allegedly "took off at a high rate of speed," according to officers. The driver then allegedly made a sharp, right-hand turn into a parking lot.
According to police, four males got out of the vehicle and began to run. Both state and city police gave chase on foot.
State police eventually captured Lopez-Temple. A search of his belongings allegedly revealed a small plastic bag containing 19 individually packaged bags of crack cocaine.
City police pursued Draft. When officers caught up to him, he was ordered to the ground at gunpoint, according to the affidavit.
Draft then allegedly threw away a red bag in an attempt to hide it from police, according to court records.
Draft, who was identified as a passenger of the vehicle, was found to be in possession of a plastic bag containing 16 individually package bags of crack cocaine, baggies of heroin and $438.
The red bag contained nine large bags of unprocessed cocaine, $3,521 and a photo ID and receipt that belonged to Lopez-Temple, according to police.
It was noted in the affidavit that all the bags of cocaine found on both men were packaged in a similar fashion.
Lopez-Temple and Draft were arraigned before District Judge Gary Whiteman. The men remain incarcerated in lieu of $50,000 bail each.
