Traffic Stop Leads to Drug Trafficking Charges Against Bowie Man

A traffic stop early Wednesday morning for speeding led police to confiscate heroin and cocaine found in a vehicle driven by a Bowie man.

According to the Anne Arundel County Police a Dodge Magnum was stopped at about 12:18 a.m. on Maryland Route 3 south at Maryland Route 175 in Gambrills.

The driver's license was suspended, the vehicle's tags were suspended and there were open containers of alcohol in the vehicle, police said. The driver was subsequently arrested for driving under the influence of alcohol/CDS.

In addition, nine capsules of suspected heroin (2.52 grams), 21 capsules of suspected crack cocaine (29.20 grams), another bag of suspected crack cocaine (3.57 grams) and drug  paraphernalia were located on the driver and in the vehicle.

The driver, Phillip Douglas Ponta, 24, of 12710 Midwood Lane in Bowie, was charged with possession of heroin and cocaine, possession with intent to distribute heroin and cocaine, CDS paraphernalia, open container of alcohol and driving with a suspended registration and on a suspended license. 

Police charged the passenger, Elliott Johnson, 58, of 12304 Markby Court in Upper Marlboro, with possession of cocaine and heroin, possession with intent to distribute cocaine, CDS paraphernalia and for the open container of alcohol.