What started as a traffic stop in Altoona ballooned into a multi-arrest drug sting this week, with police saying they intercepted a Pittsburgh supplier on his way to drop off a sizable shipment and then rounded up several alleged local sellers at a home on the 1800 block of Seventh Avenue. Officers reported recovering suspected heroin/fentanyl, oxycodone pills, and cash during the operation. Two defendants are being held on seven-figure cash bail, while others were charged and later released.
According to the Altoona Mirror, narcotics detectives pulled over a vehicle after observing multiple traffic violations and what they described as suspicious behavior. The department’s K-9, Blue, alerted to narcotics, and a search turned up suspected heroin/fentanyl. The driver, Tituscott Potts, 38, and passengers Linda Cowher, 56, and Tiffani Jenkins, 28, were arrested. Police say Cowher then provided information that led officers to the Seventh Avenue residence.
At that house, officers arrested Danelle Garland, 47, Brooke McGeary, Jessica Reed, 47, Travis Lightner, 43, and Robert Hecker, 46. Investigators say they seized roughly 60 bags of suspected heroin/fentanyl, about 17.5 oxycodone pills, and $3,885 in cash…