Texan charged with assault at Hazle Twp. service station

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<p>LEHMAN TWP. &#8212; A passenger in a vehicle stopped for traffic violations allegedly bit the fingers of a police officer after swallowing a plastic bag containing suspected crystal methamphetamine or crack cocaine.</p><p>Lehman Township police alleged Ishmil Waheed Harris, 34, swallowed the plastic bag while being patted down by an officer during a traffic stop at state Route 415 and Lakeside Drive in Harveys Lake.</p><p>When an officer attempted to retrieve the bag, Harris allegedly bit down on the officer&#8217;s finger.</p><p>According to the criminal complaint:</p><p>Township police patrolling Route 415 in Lehman Township early Monday morning spotted a vehicle swerving in the northbound lane. Police followed the vehicle that continued to swerve on the roadway into Harveys Lake where it stopped at Lakeside Drive.</p><p>Police detected an odor of marijuana coming from the vehicle.</p><p>The driver, Jermaine Derick Mullen, 23, did not have a driver&#8217;s license, police said.</p><p>Harris, a passenger in the vehicle, was searched and that search allegedly revealed a plastic bag concealed in a cigarette container containing	two small white rocks similar to crystal methamphetamine or crack cocaine.</p><p>The plastic bag was placed on the hood of a cruiser.</p><p>As Harris continued to be searched, he allegedly swallowed the plastic bag, the complaint says.</p><p>Harris allegedly told the officer he swallowed the plastic bag.</p><p>Police attempted to retrieve the plastic bag when Harris allegedly bit the fingers of an officer.</p><p>Harris was asked what the unknown substance was that he swallowed at which he laughed and replied, &#8220;Candy, good candy,&#8221; the complaint says.</p><p>Police said Harris denied medical treatment telling an officer, &#8220;No man, I&#8217;m good.&#8221;</p><p>Harris, of Williamsport, was arraigned on two counts each of simple assault and possession of drug paraphernalia and a single count of tampering with evidence. He was jailed at the Luzerne County Correctional Facility for lack of $5,000 bail.</p><p>Mullen, of Williamsport, is facing charges of driving under the influence of a controlled substance, driving with a suspended license and two traffic citations.</p><style>
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<div class="metaInfo"><bylineMeta><p>By Ed Lewis</p><p>elewis@www.timesleader.com</p></bylineMeta></div>

Police: Man swallowed drugs during traffic stop