SHAMOKIN - Approximately $1,000 in heroin, Spice and cocaine was confiscated Wednesday afternoon by city police when a Philadelphia man who allegedly has been selling drugs in the area since last week was taken into custody in the downtown district and charged with multiple felonies.
A confidential informant was used in a drug buy that resulted in the arrest of Terrance Giddings, 34, of 3004 Rorer St.
Giddings was apprehended without incident at about 1:30 p.m. by five Shamokin police officers at Independence and Ninth streets after the defendant allegedly sold 10 packets of heroin valued at $200 to an informant in Shamokin about 30 minutes earlier. He also is accused of providing $100 worth of Spice to a female acquaintance and possessing with intent to deliver approximately $800 worth of cocaine.
Spice is a form of synthetic marijuana that has the same mind-altering effects as bath salts.
Giddings was arraigned via video at 5:30 p.m. by on-call Magisterial District Judge John Gembic III on seven criminal charges filed by Cpl. Bryan Primerano, including felonies of delivery of heroin and Spice, felonies of possession with intent to deliver heroin, Spice and cocaine, and criminal use of a communication facility, and a misdemeanor of possession of drug paraphernalia.
He was committed to Northumberland County Prison in Sunbury in lieu of $50,000 cash bail and was ordered to appear for a preliminary hearing Tuesday morning before Gembic.
Police said additional charges are pending against Giddings and an acquaintance, Donna McDonald, 30, of 550 N. Market St., Apt. A-4, Shamokin, who admitted the defendant supplied her with Spice.
Police, who reportedly had Giddings under surveillance for a few days, spotted the defendant exit a downtown apartment after the drug deal and found the $200 used in the controlled buy, a plastic packet containing heroin and plastic commonly used to package cocaine upon taking Giddings into custody.
During a search of McDonald's apartment, Chief of Police Edward Griffiths discovered a plastic bag containing cocaine in one of Giddings' boots. Police also found packets of Spice in McDonald's purse, and clothing, paperwork, a suitcase and duffel bag belonging to Giddings.
Assisting Primerano and Griffiths in the investigation were Patrolmen Mark Costa, Shane Mowery and Raymond Siko II.
Giddings was previously charged with multiple offenses including robbery in connection with an Oct. 3, 1998, incident in the Philadelphia area.