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Illegal immigrants accused of trafficking $75,000 worth of heroin

Two people were arrested after a traffic stop in New Stanton yielded 7,500 stamp bags of suspected heroin.

Jose Miguel Garabito Montilla and Frankely Alonzo Ramos Castanos were charged in connection with the incident. The suspects have addresses in Philadelphia, but police said they're in the country illegally from the Dominican Republic.

PHOTOS: 7,500 stamp bags of heroin confiscated during traffic stop

The men were pulled over on the Interstate 76 off-ramp at Interstate 70 for failing to turn on the vehicle’s headlights in a construction zone.

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According to police documents, “Multiple indicators of criminal activity were observed during the traffic stop.” Police gave Castanos a consent request written in Spanish to search the vehicle, which he read, acknowledged and signed.

Greensburg's K-9 unit got a hit on the trunk, where police said they found a cardboard box with the suspected drugs.

Investigators said they believe the drugs were going to be delivered in Westmoreland County.

"We believe these two individuals have been moving heroin into southwest Pennsylvania here for a while and (they're) starting to grow some roots," Pennsylvania State Police Trooper Steve Limani said.

With regard to the suspects being in the U.S. illegally, Limani said, "That's obviously another part of our investigation."

Police said the Department of Homeland Security is involved and they will decide what's next for the two suspects. Officials said the suspects are not cooperating and will likely be deported.

Stay with Channel 11 News and WPXI.com for continuing coverage.

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Pictured: Jose Miguel Garabito Montilla (left) and Frankely Alonzo Ramos Castanos (right)

 

Cox Media Group

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