A 24-year-old New York man was committed to Schuylkill County Prison after being arrested by Pottsville police about 9:15 p.m. Friday on drug charges.
Working with Schuylkill County Drug Task Force officers, police said they charged George J. Halley with possession with intent to deliver cocaine and possession of cocaine, both felony offenses, as well as misdemeanor possession of drug paraphernalia.
Halley was arraigned by on-call Magisterial District Judge Stephen J. Bayer, Tamaqua, and committed to prison unable to post $50,000 straight cash bail.
Police said information was received that Halley would be arriving in Pottsville carrying cocaine that he intended to sell. When the man exited a bus on South Centre Street he was positively identified and a subsequent investigation revealed he had 21 grams of crack cocaine in his possession along with a digital scale, plastic baggies and $1,100 in cash.
All the items, including the man's cellphone, were seized, police said, adding that Halley admitted he arrived in Pottsville from Reading with the drugs he planned to sell.
Pottsville police remind residents that a confidential telephone number is available for anyone to report illegal drug activity in the city.
Anyone with information is asked to call 570-622-1234 and access mailbox 150. Although anonymous information is accepted, callback information is of greater use and will be kept strictly confidential.