Authorities in Blair County, Pennsylvania, have made a major breakthrough in an ongoing drug investigation, seizing over 1 kilogram of crack cocaine and arresting Quida Mertens, 53.
Mertens was taken into custody on Thursday, March 13, following a vehicle stop by investigators from the Attorney General’s Office Bureau of Narcotics. Shortly after the arrest, law enforcement executed search warrants at two locations—one in the 300 block of W. 15th Street, Tyrone, and another in the 1000 block of E. Atlantic Avenue, Altoona.
Seizure Details & Estimated Value
During the searches, officers recovered:
1 kilogram of crack cocaine, valued at approximately $72,000
91 grams of cocaine, worth an estimated $9,100
Officials described this as one of the largest crack cocaine seizures in the Blair County region in recent years.
Charges & Legal Proceedings
Mertens was arraigned Friday morning and faces multiple felony charges, including possession with intent to deliver and other drug-related offenses. Her bail was set at $200,000.
Authorities continue their investigation and have not ruled out additional arrests.
