Traffic Stop Leads to Large Meth Bust, Police Say

A traffic stop on I-78 in Williams Township led to the discovery of a sizable quantity of suspected methamphetamine, the Northampton County District Attorney’s office announced Friday.

According to a news release, the stop by a Pennsylvania State Police trooper was made around 7 p.m. Wednesday at mile marker 74.7. The district attorney identified the driver who was stopped as 41-year-old Joseph Reid of Brooklyn, N.Y.

The DA’s office said Reid was driving a black Audi Q7 and was stopped for “making unsafe lane changes” as rain fell and in heavy traffic. “Ultimately, a police dog was requested and then used on the car,” the release said, noting that the dog subsequently “gave a positive indication for illegal drugs.”

After police obtained a warrant to search the vehicle, they discovered approximately 16 pounds of suspected methamphetamine with an estimated street value of over $125,000, the DA’s office said.

Reid is charged with felony Manufacture, Delivery or Possession with Intent to Manufacture or Deliver. According to court records and the DA’s office, he was arraigned on that charge on Thursday before District Judge Robert Hawke, in sent him to Northampton County Prison in lieu of $750,000 straight bail.

A preliminary hearing before Hawke is scheduled for Monday, June 2 at 11:30 a.m., according to the court docket.

The docket did not list an attorney for Reid.

Note: All individuals arrested or charged with a crime are presumed innocent until or unless proven guilty. This story was compiled using information from the Northampton County District Attorney’s office and Northampton County court records.