Former Lansford Councilman Matthew Walsh was in court Wednesday on drug-dealing charges just a few hours before council voted to appoint his replacement.

Council chose Bruce Markovich of the Lansford Historical Society to fill the vacant seat.

Walsh, who was arrested by agents with the state Bureau of Narcotics Investigation, submitted his resignation from council earlier this month. On Wednesday he was scheduled for a preliminary hearing on drug-dealing charges before Judge Casimir T. Kosciolek in Lansford, but he and his co-defendant in the case, Danielle Grochowski, agreed to waive the hearing and proceed to Common Pleas Court.

Walsh and Grochowski are currently out on $100,000 bail.

During a search of Walsh’s business on May 18, BNI agents recovered more than 5 ounces of marijuana, 59 oxycodone tablets, eight fentanyl patches, as well as Adderall tablets and other unidentified pills. They also found $1,000 in cash and a .357 Magnum handgun.

During a search of Walsh’s residence the same day, they found 31 tablets, 11 firearms and a small amount of marijuana.

Both allegedly admitted to police under questioning that they were buying controlled substances and selling them on the street, making a few dollars on each sale.

Walsh resigned from council on Oct. 10. He submitted a letter to council but did not offer a reason. He is no longer a resident of the borough.

Walsh declined comment as he left the magistrate’s office. His defense attorney said it is too early to say whether they hope to reach a deal with prosecutors or go to trial on the charges.

“He wouldn’t want what he is going through right now to distract him from his official duties,” attorney Edward Olexa said.

Prosecutor Timothy Doherty said his office didn’t know that Walsh had resigned his seat on council until his arrival in Lansford on Wednesday. He said that they will move onto the next court date on Nov. 15.

“Like all investigations, they’re continuing, they’re moving and we’ll be ready for court for the future dates if necessary,” he said.