Calls Lead to 2 Separate Drug Arrests

Anne Arundel County police arrested two men on drug charges in separate incidents near early Friday morning, with one man allegedly trying to swallow bags of crack cocaine.

Kenneth Tyrone Smith, 28, of the 3700 block of Brooklyn Avenue in Baltimore, was charged with possession of drugs and possession with intent to distribute drugs.

Paul Ivan Garman, 26, of the 1000 block of 1st Avenue in Glen Burnie, was charged with possession of heroin, possession with intent to distribute cocaine, possession of Diazepam and other charges.

According to a police news release, officers received a call for a possible drug violation in the parking lot of Crossroads Tavern, located at 7354 Ritchie Highway. Two bike patrol officers responded to the area, saw the suspicious vehicle and suspect, and through their investigation located the suspected heroin and Garman inside.

Officers also found a digital scale, suspected powdered cocaine, a drug smoking device, prescription medications—including Diazepam—and a large amount of cash, according to the news release.

Police arrested Garman.

Officers were called back to the area of Crossroads Tavern at about 3 a.m. for another potential drug violation.

An officer saw a vehicle commit a traffic violation as it was leaving the area, police said. As the vehicle was stopped, police reported seeing one man who appeared to be choking. Officers aided the man, later identified as Smith, and determined that he attempted to swallow a clear plastic bag containing 15 smaller bags of suspected crack cocaine, according to the release.

Police retrieved the bag and and arrested Smith.