Published June 02. 2017 05:46AM
Two Monroe County women face drug dealing charges after police found heroin and cocaine during a traffic stop earlier this month.
Tina Marie Franco, 44, and Kaela Franco, 23, both of Saylorsburg, were charged after a vehicle they were traveling in was stopped by state police in the early hours of May 7.Police were traveling on Jonas Road when they stopped a Chrysler sedan that had no third brake light and had crossed into the opposing lane.The two women refused to allow a search of the vehicle, so police called a K-9 unit. As they waited, they discovered a plastic bag containing a white substance and a glass smoking pipe near where Tina Franco was standing. They then searched Kalea Franco and found cash and bags of heroin. Rolled up in the cash was a bag containing cocaine.Tina Franco said the heroin was hers, according to police.The K-9 unit arrived and his handler told the officer on scene that it had 'alerted' the vehicle. Police then searched and found additional bags. They also took Tina Franco's cellphone.Tina Franco gave police permission to search her cellphone and found messages between her and other contacts arranging to sell 'bags'.Both women were charged with felony drug countsKaela Franco posted $5,000 bail. She has a preliminary hearing scheduled for Aug. 19.Tina Franco was jailed at Monroe County Correctional Facility in lieu of $35,000 bail. On May 19, she waived her right to a preliminary hearing on the charges, meaning her case will now proceed to court.