Drug investigation leads to arrest of Salisbury man

SALISBURY, Md. – A Salisbury man is behind bars following a recent drug investigation.

The investigation began last month when the Wicomico County Sheriff’s Office Community Action Team was contacted by the Homeland Security Investigations Eastern Shore Office regarding an international package that was found to contain 4,000 Zolpidem pills, which is a schedule IV controlled dangerous substance. The package was being sent to an address in Salisbury.

Multiple residential search warrants were obtained during the investigation, which were executed in the 600 block of Truitt Street in Salisbury and the 300 block of Autumn Ridge Drive in Hebron.

As a result of the searches and original package seizure, a total of 12,140 pills (including 7,440 Zolpidem pills and 4,700 Diazepam pills), 129.82 grams of marijuana, and other evidence related to packaging and distributed controlled pills were seized.

Police arrested 27-year-old Chad Gerhart as a result of the investigation, charging him with three counts of possession with the intent to distribute, two counts of possession – not cannabis, and possession of cannabis greater than 10 grams. Police say two additional packages have been seized since Gerhart’s arrest containing an additional 8,020 Zolpidem pills that were destined to Gerhart.

Gerhart is being held without bond at the Wicomico County Detention Center.