After Springfield officers pulled an S.U.V. over for reportedly running a red light near Guadineer Middle School, a search reportedly found that the car contained over 60 packets of heroin.

On Tuesday, Oct. 16 at 8 p.m., Springfield PD Officer Melissa Esteves
stopped a red Ford Bronco on South Springfield Avenue after she reportedly saw the vehicle go through a red traffic light. According to a Springfield police news release, before approaching the vehicle, Officer Esteves noticed the driver and the passenger moving about their seats. But when she spoke with the driver she observed the passenger reportedly pretended to be asleep.

Soon after, Officer Luis Brito arrived to back up Officer Esteves. While speaking with the officers, the passenger of the S.U.V. reportedly tried to hide prescription type pills underneath his foot.

The driver, Eric Graham, 21, of Woodbridge NJ, and the passenger, Kyle
Cannetti, 20, of Clark, were arrested for the possession of prescription legend drugs and the possession of a controlled dangerous substance with the latter charge for the total of 10 glassine packets of suspected Heroin that were reportedly seen inside the vehicle.

In a later search, officers reportedly found an additional 60 packets of suspected Heroin and a bag containing 11 more prescription legend drugs hidden inside of the gas tank cap door on the side of the vehicle.

Graham and Cannetti were further charged with possession with intent to
distribute heroin, possession with intent to distribute prescription legend
drugs and possession with intent to distribute narcotics within 1000 feet
of a school zone. In addition, both subjects were charged with possession with intent to distribute narcotics within 500 Feet of a public park, possession of marijuana and the possession of drug paraphernalia.
 
"This incident serves as a perfect example of how the routine enforcement of motor vehicle laws along with the observations of experienced and trained police officers not only aids in making the roadways safer from those who drive in a reckless manner but at times may also lead to the detection and arrest of persons who are engaged in more serious crimes,” Springfield Police Chief John Cook said in an email.

Both defendants were held to the Union County Jail in Elizabeth NJ
in lieu of $10,000 bail with an initial court appearance date in
Superior Court of Union County set for Wednesday, Oct. 24