Details on Two Renovo Area Drug Raids Released by DA

Clinton County District Attorney, David Strouse.
Clinton County District Attorney, David Strouse.

drugs-1LOCK HAVEN — Clinton County District Attorney Dave Strouse today released particulars on two drug raids carried out in western Clinton County earlier this week. One on Tuesday in east Renovo involved cocaine, another on Thursday in South Renovo involved the growing of marijuana.

The statements made no reference to a confirmed report of a drug raid conducted in Lock Haven’s third ward on Tuesday of this week; so far therecord-online has been unsuccessful in learning particulars of that raid.

Strouse had pledged in his election campaign a year ago to be aggressive in addressing the drug problem across the county.

Printed below are two releases from his office disseminated Friday morning:

“RENOVO – Clinton County District Attorney Dave Strouse announced the arrest of a South Renovo man for allegedly operating a large-scale marijuana growing operation in his home.

robert-werts-160421.jpg
Robert Werts

Robert Werts, 38, of 401 Pennsylvania Avenue, South Renovo, was arrested by members of the Pennsylvania State Police Troop F Vice/Narcotics Unit based out of the PSP Montoursville Barracks.  

Acting on a tip provided by other residents of the area, Trooper Mitchell McMunn with the State Police in Lamar went to investigate the alleged odor of marijuana at 401 Pennsylvania Avenue on Thursday afternoon.  In the criminal complaint, it is alleged that Trooper McMunn was met at the front door by Werts, at which time Trooper McMunn smelled a strong odor of raw marijuana coming from the doorway opened by Werts.  McMunn then contacted the Troop F Vice Unit to secure and clear the residence. 

According to the affidavit, a short time later the Vice Unit responded to the residence.  A search warrant was obtained by the Vice Unit and numerous items for the manufacture and growing of marijuana were located within the home.  Troopers reportedly found 8-10 pounds of marijuana and an additional 128 live marijuana plants inside the home.  Also found were growing lamps, chemicals to boost the growth of plants, cloning chemicals, ballasts and fans.   

Werts was charged with felony counts of possession with intent to deliver and manufacture of marijuana, as well misdemeanor possession offenses.  He was arraigned and bail was set at $100,000.00. Werts remains in the Clinton County Correctional Facility and is currently scheduled for an appearance in Clinton County Central Court on April 26. 

Strouse said that the arrest was the latest result of the on-going investigation of drug activity in Clinton County, spearheaded by the specialty Vice/Narcotics unit out of PSP Montoursville.” 

Michael Stevens
Michael Stevens

“RENOVO – Clinton County District Attorney Dave Strouse announced the arrest of a Western Clinton County man for allegedly dealing crack cocaine from his East Renovo home on Delaware Avenue. 

Michael Stevens, 45, of 2039 Delaware Avenue, Renovo, was apprehended on a felony arrest warrant by members of the Pennsylvania State Police Troop F Vice/Narcotics Unit based out the PSP Montoursville Barracks. Stevens is alleged to have sold crack cocaine on at least two occasions to a confidential informant and an undercover Trooper assigned to the Troop F Vice/Narcotics Unit in February of this year. 

Stevens was arraigned and bail was set at $50,000.00. Stevens posted bail and is currently scheduled for an appearance in Clinton County Central Court on April 26. 

Stevens is charged with two counts of delivery of a controlled substance, two counts of possession with intent to deliver a controlled substance, and two counts of possession of a controlled substance. 

Tips from neighbors and community members were attributed to helping initiate the investigation. ‘People need to know that when they call and provide information about suspected drug activity, that information is going to be pursued,’ Strouse said.”

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