Two men arrested on drug charges in Cecil
Two men were arrested Wednesday on drug charges, one by the Washington County’s Drug Task Force and the other by Cecil Township police, stemming from separate incidents in the township.
Ronald J. Markovich, 57, of 15 Grant Alley, Cecil ,was arrested by the task force on two counts of possession and possession with intent to deliver heroin. Joshua Cowden, 25, of 3766 Morganza Road, Bridgeville, was arrested by township police on charges of possession of heroin and paraphernalia and tampering with evidence.
The task force reportedly received information in April that Markovich was selling heroin. Detectives developed a confidential informant who agreed to purchase heroin from Markovich. The informant also reported seeing Markovich selling the drug.
Detectives set up surveillance at Markovich’s home. People were seen coming to his residence on foot and in vehicles, staying only a short time before leaving the house. The informant also allegedly made controlled purchases of heroin from Markovich.
A warrant for Markovich’s arrest was obtained Tuesday, and he was taken into custody Wednesday.
Cowden was arrested during a traffic stop Wednesday by Cecil police in the 3300 block of Millers Run Road. Cowden was a passenger in the eastbound vehicle that was stopped for speeding. Police said Cowden was nodding off while sitting in the passenger seat and his mannerisms were slow. He was removed from the vehicle. During a patdown, police said they found 18 stamp bags of suspected heroin and crack pipes. While at the police station, an officer reported finding a capped syringe and tourniquet in Cowden’s sock.
Both men were arraigned before District Judge Curtis Thompson. Markovich was placed in Washington County jail on $35,000 bond. Cowden was released from jail Wednesday night after posting $5,000 bond. Both men are scheduled for Nov. 25 preliminary hearings at the office of Senior District Judge Jay Dutton.