Police arrested an Arnold man they had under surveillance because of multiple reports of drug dealing at his apartment and confiscated nearly 6 ounces of cocaine and an ounce of heroin.
Westmoreland County District Attorney Nicole Ziccarelli announced this week that agents from her office, the state Attorney General’s Office and the Arnold Police Department participated in the Monday operation to arrest Terry “Bird” Crawford, 41, of the 1900 block of Woodmont Avenue.
Crawford was charged with four felony counts of possession of drugs with the intent to deliver along with three counts of possession of a controlled substance and drug paraphernalia.
He was taken to the Westmoreland County jail in lieu of a $50,000 cash bond, according to court records. Crawford faces a preliminary hearing before District Judge Frank J. Pallone Jr. on May 5.
Police said they were watching Crawford’s home after receiving “numerous reports of suspected drug activity” from neighbors, according to a criminal complaint filed in support of his arrest.
Officers said they learned that Crawford was wanted on an arrest warrant and followed him after he left the house.
He was stopped several minutes later near Rankin Avenue and placed under arrest, the complaint said.
Police said they found raw heroin bundled in paper inside his wallet when he was searched. The district attorney said the 20.3 grams of heroin confiscated has a street value of more than $6,000.
Crawford told investigators he was on his way to deliver the heroin to an associate and that he had more “dope” inside his apartment, which is in the rear of the house, according to the complaint.
He told police his “stash” was hidden in the basement rafters and inside a vent, the complaint said.
In addition to the heroin found when he was arrested, police found a bag in the basement with 154 grams of cocaine that has a street value of $15,400, the district attorney said.
A bag with 20.1 grams of heroin also was found in a vent, police said. They found a scale with heroin residue and two boxes of unused stamp bags in a bedroom, the complaint said.
Investigators said the seized drugs tested positive for narcotics.
“I commend the Westmoreland County Drug Task Force including state, county, and local officers for their continued efforts to combat illegal drugs,” Ziccarelli wrote in a news release announcing the arrest.
“I am grateful to the brave law enforcement officers who are committed to fight this war on drugs,” she said. “Their efforts are making an impactful difference daily.”
Copyright ©2025— Trib Total Media, LLC (TribLIVE.com)