Suspected Heroin Dealer Nabbed in Distracted Driving Patrol

MANCHESTER, CT — A distracted driving patrol along Interstate-84 near the Manchester-East Hartford line led to state troopers confiscating a big bag of heroin, according to an arrest report.

On Sunday at at approximately 7:40 p.m., troopers from Troop C in Tolland were patrolling I-84 westbound in the area of exit 59, focusing on distracted driving, when they observed a 2017 Jeep Grand Cherokee failing to drive in, and maintain, a proper lane. state police said.

Troopers stopped the vehicle and upon speaking with the operator, found that he was distracted by his cell phone's GPS, according to an arrest report.

While speaking with the operator troopers observed "several indicators of criminal activity" and believed illegal narcotics were contained in the vehicle, according to an arrest report.

Troopers asked to search the vehicle, the operator granted the search and troopers located approximately 1.5 kilograms of suspected heroin, according to an arrest report.

The operator, Jeffrey VanMourik, was taken into custody and transported to Troop C where he was fingerprinted and photographed, state police said.

During processing, VanMourik was also found to be in possession of a bag of heroin, state police said.

Jeffrey VanMourik, 36, of Springfield, MA, was charged with failure to drive in proper lane, operating without a license, possession of heroin, and possession of a narcotic with intent to sell, state police said.

VanMourik was held overnight on a $100,000 bond and was to appear at Manchester Superior Court on Monday, state police said.

Photo Credit: CSP