25-03-2025
Man arrested in Centre County after police say they found $170K worth of cocaine in car
A Puerto Rican man was arrested Friday after state police at Rockview said they found more than eight pounds of cocaine in the trunk of the vehicle he was driving, an amount estimated to be worth more than $170,000.
Zariel Melendez, 32, was stopped about 12:30 p.m. Friday on Interstate 80 westbound in Marion Township for erratic driving including weaving out of his lane and driving well below the speed limit, state police at Rockview wrote in an affidavit of probable cause.
Melendez told police he is currently staying in Cleveland, where he'd rented a vehicle the day before and was on the way back. He said he drove to Brookyln, New York, to visit a friend and was only there for a couple of hours, according to police.
During an interview, police wrote that 'indicators of Melendez being involved in criminal activity were observed,' though the affidavit of probable cause did not elaborate.
A drug detecting K-9 aided troopers in their investigation and alerted them to the scent of controlled substances, police wrote. Troopers later found the cocaine in the trunk of the rented Honda CRV.
No defense lawyer was listed. The Centre County Public Defender Office said it does not represent Melendez as of Monday morning.
Melendez was charged with one felony count of possession with intent to deliver and misdemeanor counts of unlawful possession of a controlled substance and possession of drug paraphernalia. He was also charged with a summary traffic violation.
He was arraigned Friday by District Judge Casey McClain, who denied bail and described Melendez as a 'flight risk.' Melendez is incarcerated at the Centre County Correctional Facility.
His preliminary hearing is scheduled for April 2.
