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<p>HAZLETON &#8212; A Frackville man accused of having a large quantity of methamphetamine reportedly told city police he is &#8220;just the middleman.&#8221;</p><p>Shaquane Jermaine Scott, 30, and James A. Stevenson, 44, of East Walnut Street, Hazleton, were arrested after a vehicle pursuit ended on North James Street just after 11 p.m. Tuesday, police said.</p><p>Officers said they followed Scott, operating a BMW, when he was spotted driving away from West Fourth and Grant streets without headlights and failure to use turn signals.</p><p>The two had agreed to meet at West Fourth and Grant for a drug transaction, police say. Authorities noted that area of the city &#8220;is known for illegal narcotic sales.&#8221;</p><p>According to criminal complaints:</p><p>Stevenson told police he had called Scott earlier to get meth and they agreed to meet at West Fourth and Grant. When Stevenson got into Scott&#8217;s vehicle, he claimed they spotted a police officer and Scott drove away.</p><p>Scott initiated a pursuit and slowed down when he turned onto North James Street, where Stevenson jumped out and began walking away. As Stevenson was being chased, he discarded a bag containing nearly 83 grams of methamphetamine in front of a residence in the 500 block of Peace Street.</p><p>Police also found a digital scale with residue on Scott&#8217;s leg when he was inside the vehicle. </p><p>Scott told police he is &#8220;just the middleman&#8221; and there are bigger fish.</p><p>Stevenson was wanted on a warrant charging him with possessing methamphetamine and driving a vehicle with a suspended license stemming from a traffic stop in Hazleton on Nov. 8.</p><p>Scott and Stevenson were arraigned Wednesday by District Judge Joseph Spagnuolo Jr. in Luzerne County Central Court.</p><p>Scott was charged with possession with intent to deliver a controlled substance, possession of a controlled substance, possession of drug paraphernalia, criminal use of a communication facility and several traffic violations. He was jailed at the county lockup for lack of $30,000 bail.</p><p>Stevenson was charged with separate counts of possession of a controlled substance and possession of drug paraphernalia, a single count of possession with intent to deliver a controlled substance, driving with a suspended license and a traffic violation. He was jailed for a total of $30,100 bail.</p><style>
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<div class="neFile"><img class="neImage" src="https://www.timesleader.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/02/web1_James-Stevenson-HazletonPD-02272019.jpg">
<div class="neCaption">Stevenson </div></div><div class="metaInfo"><photo0>https://www.timesleader.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/02/web1_James-Stevenson-HazletonPD-02272019.jpg</photo0><caption0>Stevenson </caption0><photoCredit0></photoCredit0></div><div class="neFile"><img class="neImage" src="https://www.timesleader.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/02/web1_Shaquane-Scott-HazletonPD-02272019.jpg">
<div class="neCaption">Scott </div></div><div class="metaInfo"><photo1>https://www.timesleader.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/02/web1_Shaquane-Scott-HazletonPD-02272019.jpg</photo1><caption1>Scott </caption1><photoCredit1></photoCredit1></div></div>
<div class="metaInfo"><bylineMeta><p>By Ed Lewis</p><p>elewis@www.timesleader.com</p></bylineMeta></div>

Police: Self-described ‘middleman’ arrested in Hazleton in meth deal