North Adams Police Nab Suspected Heroin Dealers

NORTH ADAMS, Mass. — North Adams Police have arrested two people after a motor vehicle stop early Thursday morning uncovered nearly 1,000 bags of heroin.

Officers and detectives executed a motor vehicle stop on Blackinton Street at approximately 12:55 a.m. on a red Chrysler sedan bearing Massachusetts registration 648EL9.

The operator of the motor vehicle was identified as Courtney Schnopps, 21, of Protection Avenue, who was found to have an outstanding warrant for her arrest. The passenger of the vehicle was identified as 22-year-old Matthew Capek of Blackinton Street.

Officers on scene had prior information from confidential informants that Schnopps and Capek were traveling to Hartford, Conn., to purchase a large quantity of heroin and transport it back to North Adams for sale. Schnopps and Capek were separated and, according to police, gave elusive answers that were not corroborated.

A K9 was uncovered bags of heroin in the vehicle and Schnopps and Capek also had heroin found on them during their arrest, said police, that matched the same packaging found in the vehicle. Some 990 bags of heroin were seized, with a street value of about $9,740.

There was no money or drug paraphernalia located in the vehicle.

Police said Schnopps and Capek both admitted under questioning to making a trip to Hartford. Capek claimed that the amount of heroin found in the vehicle was for his own personal use, according to police.

Bail for Capek was set at $2,000  and Schnopps was held without bail due to the outstanding warrant.

Both will be charged with possession with intent to distribute Class A substance and conspiracy to violate drug laws.