Three arrested on drug charges following traffic stop

Buckner (left), Smith (center), and Johnson (right)

MILFORD, Del. – Delaware State Police say they have arrested three suspects after drugs were found during a traffic stop on Tuesday.

According to police, the incident occurred around 6:10 PM, when a trooper initiated a traffic stop for a seatbelt violation on northbound US 113. The officer then made contact with the driver, 36-year-old Corey Johnson of Far Rockaway, NY, and two passengers, 52-year-old Kevin Smith of Rockaway, NY and 23-year-old Matthew Buckner of Mount Kisco, NY.

The occupants reportedly gave police conflicting statements, and after a concealed police baton and the odor of marijuana were detected, a search of the vehicle ensued. Inside the vehicle, police located 14 forty pound steel pressurized cylinder tanks found to illegally contain suspected nitrous oxide, 26 bags of suspected heroin, 8 suboxone strips, 3 amphetamine pills, more than $4,000 in suspected drug proceeds, and several hundred balloons.

All three suspects were taken into custody and charged with possession with intent to deliver a prescription drug not controlled, conspiracy second degree, two counts of possession of a controlled substance, and possession of drug paraphernalia. Smith was also charged with criminal impersonation for providing a false name to police.

All were arraigned before the Justice of the Peace Court 3. Buckner and Johnson were both released on $10,200 unsecured bond, while Smith was released on $11,200 unsecured bond.