Police raid near North East nets drugs, loaded handgun, one arrest

NORTH EAST — A man remained jailed on Tuesday after investigators confiscated more than one ounce of suspect heroin mixed fentanyl, a loaded handgun and other drug-related evidence while raiding his residence near North East and searching his vehicle, according to the Cecil County Sheriff’s Office.

Investigators identified the suspect as 28-year-old Zachary Paul Rhoades, whom investigators arrested on Thursday after conducting a court-approved search of his residence in the unit block of West Clairborne Road, police reported.

During a three-month-long investigation into the alleged distribution of heroin and fentanyl in the North East area, CCSO deputies assigned to the agency’s Street Level Crime Unit developed Rhoades as a suspect, police said. That investigation, which led to Thursday’s raid, started in February, police added. CCSO Det. Nathan Cryder served as lead investigator in the case.

Investigators found and seized a loaded Glock 17 9mm handgun, 30 grams of suspect heroin/fentanyl, 18 grams of suspect cocaine, various rounds of ammunition, eight prescription sedative pills and drug paraphernalia during the court-approved search, according to police. There are about 28 grams in one ounce.

“The approximate street value of the illegal narcotics is estimated at $2,700,” said Lt. Michael Zack, a CCSO spokesman.

Rhoades is facing 14 criminal charges, including possession of a firearm during the commission of a drug trafficking crime, possession of a firearm by a felon or someone with a disqualifying conviction and multiple counts of possession of a controlled and dangerous substance, Cecil County District Court records show.

He remained in the Cecil County Detention Center on no bond Tuesday, one day after his bail review hearing, according to court records, which indicate that Cecil County District Court Judge Clara E. Campbell presided over that proceeding.