Cops find 5 kilos of heroin during S. Philly traffic stop; 2 held

State police seized five kilos of heroin with a street value of $1.6 million and arrested three men early Tuesday after a car stop in South Philadelphia.

State Police Capt. David F. Young said that state troopers became suspicious after stopping the two cars for running stop signs at 4:30 a.m. on Packer Avenue at 18th Street.

Troopers interviewed the occupants, believed to be traveling together, and obtained consent to search their vehicles.

Young said that troopers found the heroin in a coffeemaker box in the rear cargo area of the Arizona-registered SUV, driven by Mark Smith, of Winslow, Ariz.

Smith, and a passenger, John B. Jackson, 23, of Goodyear, Ariz., were both charged with conspiracy, possession with intent to deliver and related charges.

Jackson was later held on $20 million bail, court records show. Smith's bail could not be learned last night.

Young said that troopers searched a Pennsylvania-registered Chevrolet driven by Kyle Johnson, of Philadelphia, and seized a small amount of marijuana.

Johnson, who had allegedly driven through the light first, was charged with possession of a controlled substance, possession of drug paraphernalia and driving under the influence.

Johnson was released on his own recognizance.

- Kitty Caparella