DUNMORE — Scranton police and Lackawanna county detectives arrested a Scranton woman on Jan. 9, after she sold crack cocaine to a confidential informant in the parking lot of the Baymont Hotel, Dunmore, according to a criminal complaint.
Additionally, a Scranton man who was staying with the woman at a room inside the hotel, was also arrested after police found drugs in his possession, charges state.
Ayana Powell, 25, 333 E. Locust St., and Lamar Williams, 47, of 130 Meridian Ave. are charged with possession with intent to deliver a controlled substance, criminal conspiracy and related charges.
Here is what authorities say happened: ,
Members of the Scranton Police Street Crimes Unit and the Lackawanna County district attorney’s office met with a confidential informant who told investigators they could purchase drugs from Powell, also known as “Yanna” by calling her cell phone.
The informant then called Powell, who told the informant to meet her at the Dunmore hotel. Authorities followed the informant and provided then with marked bills for the purchase.
After observing Powell selling suspected crack to the informant, officers spotted her going back to room 106, knocking and being admitted to the room.
The informant then turned over suspected crack to law enforcement, consistent with the amount of confidential funds provided them, officers said.
When officers went to room 106 and knocked, Williams answered. Authorities took both Williams and Powell from the room.
Powell admitted to having made the sale of crack to the informant. She told police she had an active warrant and was going to jail.
Officers found the confidential funds and multiple plastic bags commonly used for packaging drugs in Powell’s bra.
Williams told police he had a quantity of crack and officers found 31 grams of crack on him.
He admitted he provided Powell with the drugs used during the sale to the informant.
He told officers he had been selling drugs for the last several months to survive while staying at different hotels. He said there was an active warrant for his arrest.
Powell (SUBMITTED)
Investigators searched the room and found two black digital scales containing crack cocaine residue, numerous plastic bags, $175 in cash and two Oxycodone pills.
Preliminary hearings are scheduled for Williams and Powell at 9 a.m. on Jan. 23 before District Judge Kipp Adcock.