A city couple are facing narcotics possession and sale charges after they were found with 42 grams of heroin in the back of their car where their child was seated, according to Middletown Police.
Acting on an anonymous tip that a city man and woman were selling heroin out of their home, Middletown Patrol Officer August DeFrance stopped a car driven by Wanda Lee Sampel, 36, of Rome Avenue Sunday morning for an unlit brake light.
According to the report, Leal R. Pickering, 58, of Rome Avenue was in the passenger seat and the couple's child was in the back seat. Sitting in the rear cup holder was a plastic zip lock bag with hearts on it, the report indicates.
The bag was full of a power-like substance which later tested positive for 42.2 grams of heroin. Sampel insisted that the powder was the product Herbalife which she used for weight loss, according to police. Police tested the powder multiple times, and each time it tested positive for heroin.
Sampel's and Pickering's child is with a family friend and the Department of Children and Families was contacted, police indicate.
Sampel was charged with operation of a motor vehicle when registration or license suspended, failure to have stop lamps/turn signals, device obstructing windshield, possession with intent to sell, distribution of controlled substance less than 1,500 from school, possession controlled substance and risk of injury to a minor.
Pickering was charged with possession with intent to sell, distribution of controlled substance less than 1,500 from school, possession controlled substance and risk of injury to child.
