Taxi-cab traffic stop yields $12K worth of heroin, Ectasy in Ohio county

MARION, Ohio — A Michigan man is facing felony drug charges after Ohio State Highway Patrol troopers seized 1,283 small bas of heroin and 50 Ecstasy pills, valued at $12,000 during a traffic stop Wednesday on U.S. Route 23 in Marion County.

Troopers stopped a 2003 Ford Crown Victoria taxi-cab for a marked lanes violation at 10:20 p.m. A consent search revealed a small amount of heroin located in the cab’s passenger compartment. A further search of the vehicle produced a duffle bag in the trunk containing 110 grams of heroin and 50 Ecstasy pills.

David L. Powers, 19, of Detroit, who had hired the taxi-cab from Columbus to Marion, was charged with aggravated trafficking and possession of heroin, both first-degree felonies. He was also charged with possession of a schedule I substance, a fifth-degree felony.

The suspect was placed in the Marion Multi County Jail. If convicted, each could face up to 21 years in prison.