On June 20th, 2026, around 12:39 p.m., NLCRPD Officers conducted a traffic stop for an obstructed registration plate in the 1900 block of W. Main Street, Clay Township, PA.  During the stop, the driver was identified as Howard James Mercer, a 52-year-old resident of Ephrata, PA.  During the stop, a consent search of the vehicle was conducted, and officers located suspected heroin and drug paraphernalia.  As a result, officers filed charges of possession of a controlled substance and possession of drug paraphernalia before MDJ Landis.