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HAZLETON — City police say they nabbed a fugitive and a large stash of marijuana packaged for sale when they stopped a vehicle Wednesday afternoon.

Here are more details from a press release by Chief Jerry Speziale:

Officers responded to a report of a fight around 3:46 p.m. in the 400 block of South Poplar Street involving two males in a white 2015 Kia Optima.

While searching the area for the vehicle, members of the Hazleton Narcotics Division discovered the car traveling away from the area on Broad Street. They began to follow the vehicle until patrol units were able to conduct a stop behind a funeral home at Mine and Linden streets.

Police say they immediately arrested the driver, Dwayne Gilley, 24, when they found he had a warrant for terroristic threats.

Meanwhile, passenger Randy Escoto, 27, was in possession of a “substantial quantity of marijuana packaged for distribution.”

Both suspects were taken into custody without incident, and the Kia was towed.

Escoto was charged with possession with intent to distribute marijuana.

Hazleton officers stopped this vehicle at Mine and Linden streets on Wednesday. They said they found a wanted man driving the vehicle, and the passenger was in possession of a large amount of marijuana.
https://www.timesleader.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/03/web1_Arrest-1.jpg.optimal.jpgHazleton officers stopped this vehicle at Mine and Linden streets on Wednesday. They said they found a wanted man driving the vehicle, and the passenger was in possession of a large amount of marijuana. Photo courtesy of Hazleton Police Department

Escoto
https://www.timesleader.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/03/web1_Escoto-Mug-1.jpg.optimal.jpgEscoto Photo courtesy of Hazleton Police Department

Police say this marijuana was confiscated during a traffic stop in downtown Hazleton on Wednesday.
https://www.timesleader.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/03/web1_Drugs-1.jpg.optimal.jpgPolice say this marijuana was confiscated during a traffic stop in downtown Hazleton on Wednesday. Photo courtesy of Hazleton Police Department

Gilley
https://www.timesleader.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/03/web1_Gilley-Mug-1.jpg.optimal.jpgGilley Photo courtesy of Hazleton Police Department

By Kulsoom Khan

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