A Lancaster woman is charged with trying to transfer heroin to a Lancaster County Prison inmate during a visitation last week.
Maria Rosa, 45, is charged with two felonies and a misdemeanor for the Nov. 14 incident, which was interrupted by the Lancaster County Drug Task Force and prison staff.
Rosa placed two balloons, filled with heroin packets, in her mouth prior to a scheduled visitation with her boyfriend, a 48-year-old inmate.
She intended to transfer the balloons during a kiss with the inmate, according to Drug Task Force detectives.
Prison staff stopped Rosa before she went into the visitation.
Rosa is at Lancaster County Prison on $25,000 bail, charged with possession with intent to deliver heroin, possession of contraband, and tampering with evidence.
When confronted by staff, Rosa swallowed the balloons which she placed in her mouth. She previously removed them from under her shirt.
The balloons were recovered at Lancaster General Hospital. They contained 10 baggies of heroin.
The Drug Task Force, which filed charges, received information regarding Rosa’s plan prior to the visitation. The Task Force and prison staff conduct surveillance of Rosa as she waited for the visit.
Assistant District Attorney Maria Cusick filed charges.
The male inmate is not charged.
Rosa is presumed innocent.
MEDIA CONTACT: Brett A. Hambright, 717-295-2041; bhambright@co.lancaster.pa.us; Twitter: @BrettHambright