A Luzerne County man has been charged with possession of a large amount of crystal methamphetamine.

According to the affidavit of probable cause filed by Trooper Joseph Urban of the Pennsylvania State Police, Bureau of Criminal Investigation, Drug Law Enforcement Division, Northeast Strike Force, in the case against Yerigard Zoquier:

On Tuesday, a confidential informant told police that Zoquier, 20, was going to be traveling to the Lehighton area to deliver crystal methamphetamine.

Members of PSP Northeast Strike Force established surveillance at Zoquier’s residence in the 200 block of North Third Street, West Hazleton.

Zoquier left in a 2015 Honda Accord and drove south on Route 93 from Luzerne County into Packer Township until a traffic stop was conducted by Trooper Lorenzo Policichio for a vehicle code violation.

During the traffic stop Zoquier consented to a vehicle. Policichio saw evidence of an aftermarket compartment.

Zoquier said he did not want the trooper “to tear up his car,” and the consent search was then terminated.

The vehicle was securely towed to PSP Lehighton, and Zoquier was detained.

Police obtained a search warrant and found 91 grams (3.25 ounces) of crystal methamphetamine from the aftermarket compartment located in the dash of the vehicle.

Zoquier told police the methamphetamine belongs to only him.

Zoquier faces charges of the controlled substance, drug, device and cosmetic act; and possessing instruments of crime.

He is currently incarcerated in the Carbon County Correctional Facility in lieu of $50,000 monetary bail, and scheduled to have a preliminary hearing March 17 before District Judge Joseph D. Homanko Sr. of Weatherly.