Traffic stop gets 2 arrested for drugs

The man requested state police ask him more questions.
By LAURE CIOFFI
VINDICATOR PENNSYLVANIA BUREAU
NEW CASTLE, Pa. -- If Gerrod Harris hadn't been driving for a prolonged period in the left-hand lane of the Pennsylvania Turnpike, he probably wouldn't be sitting in the Lawrence County Jail right now.
But his failure to follow that simple state driving law led Pennsylvania State Police to find 11 pounds of suspected cocaine and less than one ounce of suspected heroin in his car.
Police said they noticed Harris' silver 2006 Pontiac Grand Prix going eastbound on the turnpike about 11:30 p.m. Thursday and watched it remain in the left lane for about two miles. There was no other traffic on the road at that time, they said.
Pennsylvania law requires drivers to remain in the right lane unless passing other vehicles.
State police pulled Harris' vehicle over at the Gateway Interchange in North Beaver Township, Lawrence County. Police said Harris, 51, of North Atlantic Avenue, Pittsburgh, was nervous as he got out of the rental car. Harris' passenger, Lynwood Alan Harris, 47, of Jackson Street, Pittsburgh, would not take a coat off his head, police said.
Wanted more questions
Gerrod Harris was given a written citation for a left-lane violation and then told he could leave, but Harris asked police if they could ask him more questions.
Police said they asked him several more questions, and Harris agreed to have his vehicle searched.
A drug dog found the suspected drugs in the car's back seat, says an affidavit filed to support the charges.
Both men were arraigned on drug and conspiracy charges and remanded to jail on $1 million bond each.
cioffi@vindy.com