Police Dog Snags Heroin After High-Beam Escapade

VERNON, CT — A police dog uncovered heroin in a car after an erratic driving incident, a report indicates.

It was 2:32 in the morning on Oct. 6, when an officer patrolling West Street in a marked canine cruiser came up to a white Mazda, according to a report. While following the car, the officer noticed it cross the double yellow center line and the white shoulder line multiple times.

The driver, identified as 37-year-old Eric Whelan, of Windsor Locks, sped up to between 56 and 59 mph in a posted 40 mph zone and he was flashing his high beams at oncoming vehicles, according to a reporter.

The officer pulled Whelan over and noticed he and a passenger showed physical signs of opioid use, according to a report. He was "fumbling" through paperwork when being questioned and refused to grant a search consent, according to a report.

The canine officer then summoned his partner, Tengo, who detected the presence of narcotics in the vehicle. Whalen earlier admitted to a drug-related arrest in may, police said.

Tengo uncovered .6 grams of heroin, several empty heroin bags and a crack cocaine pipe, and Whelan admitted they belonged to him, according to a report.

He was charged with possession of a controlled substance, the use of drug paraphernalia, the improper use of high beams, a lane violation and traveling at an unreasonable speed, according to a report.

He is due in court on Oct. 16, records show.

Photo Credit: VPD

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