Man arrested on drug charges in Wilkes-Barre Township

WILKES-BARRE TOWNSHIP, PA — A traffic stop early Friday morning led to the arrest of a Wright Township man on drug and DUI charges after police discovered multiple controlled substances in his vehicle.

Officers with the Wilkes-Barre Township Police Department conducted a traffic stop on a 2017 Honda Accord at approximately 2:14 a.m. on May 8.

The operator, Ryan Smith, 21, of Wright Township, was observed to be operating the vehicle while under the influence of alcohol and/or controlled substances.

During the investigation, officers discovered Smith to be in possession of cocaine, leading investigators to obtain and execute a search warrant on the vehicle.

During the execution of the warrant, investigators recovered approximately 145 grams of cocaine, 160 grams of psilocybin mushrooms, 120 grams of marijuana, 7.5 grams of methamphetamine, and additional controlled substances.

The estimated street value of the cocaine alone was approximately $14,500.

Investigators also recovered approximately 424 doses of Lysergic Acid Diethylamide (LSD), with an estimated street value of approximately $2,100.

The psilocybin mushrooms had an estimated street value of approximately $1,120, while the methamphetamine carried an estimated street value of approximately $525.

Investigators from the Wilkes-Barre Township Special Investigations Unit, the Luzerne County Drug Task Force, and Wright Township Police later executed a search warrant at Smith’s residence in Wright Township, where additional evidence related to the investigation was recovered.

While in custody, Smith used blood and other bodily fluids to draw on the walls and door of the holding cell, causing damage and contamination to the cell area.

Smith was arraigned on charges including Driving Under the Influence, Possession with Intent to Deliver Controlled Substances, Institutional Vandalism, and multiple summary offenses.

He was given $200,000 cash bail and was unable to post.

Smith was remanded to the Luzerne County Correctional Facility.