By RODNEY L. SHERMAN
Clarion News editor
State police have charged a Parker couple with numerous offenses after a traffic stop that allegedly led to the discovery of a marijuana and suspected fentanyl in the vehicle.
State police Tpr. Tate Allison reports Tina Marie Dunkle, 38, and Bobby Gene Dunkle, 51, are charged in the case.
Tina Marie Dunkle is charged with Two counts of endangering the welfare of children and driving under the influence of a controlled substance, both first-degree misdemeanors; possession of a controlled substance, possession of a small amount of marijuana and possession of drug paraphernalia, all unclassified misdemeanors; and summary charges of driving with an obscured license plate and failure to keep right at 5:06 p.m. Dec. 4 along Jefferson Street and Locust Alley in Callensburg Borough.
Bobby Gene Dunkle is charged with possession of a controlled substance, possession of a small amount of marijuana and possession of drug paraphernalia, all unclassified misdemeanors, at the same time and location.
According to police reports, Allison stopped a 1999 Dodge vehicle operated by Tina Marie Dunkle after observing the vehicle being operated with its headlights off and traveling on the wrong side of the roadway. Police allege the license plate on the vehicle was so dirty it could not be read.
At the time of the traffic stop, two male children, ages 3 and 5, also were in the vehicle.
Allison allegedly detected an odor of marijuana coming from the vehicle. Tina Marie Dunkle allegedly display behaviors and actions consistent with drug use and intoxication.
Bobby Gene Dunkle allegedly had a backpack between his legs.
The vehicle was searched and Allison alleges he found a metal container with white powder residue and a small amount of marijuana inside a glass pipe commonly used to smoke marijuana.
Another container in the vehicle allegedly contained 24 plastic bags containing suspected fentanyl.
According to the United States’ Drug Enforcement Administration’s website, fentanyl is a synthetic opioid that is 80-100 times stronger than morphine.
Pharmaceutical fentanyl was developed for pain management treatment of cancer patients, applied in a patch on the skin.
Because of its powerful opioid properties, Fentanyl is also diverted for abuse.
Fentanyl is added to heroin to increase its potency, or be disguised as highly potent heroin.
Many users believe that they are purchasing heroin and actually don’t know that they are purchasing fentanyl which often results in overdose deaths.
The Dunkles are awaiting formal arraignment.