WATCH: Drone video shows arrest of local man who allegedly led officers on chase while carrying meth

ELIZABETH TOWNSHIP, Pa. — A local man is behind bars after police say he led officers on a miles-long chase while carrying methamphetamine Friday.

Officers used a drone to track down Jason Smith, of Forward Township, and arrest him while he was hiding in the woods during the bust.

“We have the technology, we have the expert investigators, and we will work hard to pursue safety in our community and make it as drug-free as we can,” said Chief Ken Honick.

Honick says his officers arrived at Smith’s home on Roberts Hollow Road in Forward Township around 9 a.m. with a search warrant to look for drugs.

He says Smith saw the officers and took off on a motorcycle toward nearby woods.

That led to a manhunt across a three-mile area.

“With a drone, we were able to cover that area in roughly 15 minutes. If we were to use live police officers, we would probably use dozens of police officers over hours of time to grid search that same area,” Honick said.

The drone’s infrared technology easily spotted Smith and officers quickly arrested him.

On him, and in his home, police found and seized 268 grams of meth, 532 grams of marijuana, and 18 grams of psychedelic mushrooms, as well as Oxycodone, LSD, and Xanax.

The drugs are worth around $21,000, according to police.

Officers also seized a shotgun, which Smith was not allowed to own due to prior felony convictions.

Honick says he’s proud of his officers for getting the drugs off the streets.

“It makes the community of Forward Township safer, the surrounding communities of Elizabeth Township, Elizabeth Borough, and West Elizabeth safer,” Honick said.

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