Accused drug dealer faces trial after arrest in Cheltenham
NORRISTOWN >> A Philadelphia man who was apprehended in Cheltenham Township in January after a search of his car revealed a pound of crystal methamphetamine packaged for sale was ordered to stand trial in Montgomery County Court on drug and weapons charges.
Larry Lamar “Gunna” Hudson, 27, of the 200 block of Sparks Street, waived his preliminary hearing before District Court Judge Christopher J. Cerski on charges of possession with intent to deliver controlled substances, possession of a controlled substance, possession of prohibited firearms and possession of drug paraphernalia in connection with alleged incidents that occurred between November 2020 and Jan. 12, 2021.
Hudson, who remains in the county jail in lieu of $500,000 cash bail, faces a formal arraignment hearing on the charges in county court on May 12 before Judge William R. Carpenter.
The charges were filed by the Pennsylvania Office of Attorney General but the case will be prosecuted by county Assistant District Attorney Roderick Fancher III.
Hudson was arrested without incident on Jan. 12 on a parking lot in the 7600 block of Washington Lane in the Wyncote section of Cheltenham, according to court papers. A search of Hudson’s red Ford Taurus revealed a pound of crystal methamphetamine for sale, authorities alleged.
A subsequent search of Hudson’s home in Philadelphia uncovered additional pounds of crystal methamphetamine, valued at nearly $200K, and nine guns, including, two long guns, one shot gun and six hands guns. Authorities alleged Hudson is a convicted felon and is prohibited from possessing a firearm.
The amount of crystal methamphetamine seized would have produced 1,900 individual packets for sale, authorities alleged.
The arrest and seizure was a result of a monthslong investigation by the Office of Attorney General Bureau of Narcotics Investigations.
The investigation of Hudson began last year after authorities learned that Hudson allegedly “was obtaining significant quantities of methamphetamine and from an unknown source of supply,” according to a criminal complaint.
“Additionally, it was determined that the defendant was selling quantities of methamphetamine in the Montgomery and Philadelphia County areas,” narcotics agents with the Pennsylvania Office of Attorney General wrote in the arrest affidavit.
An informant allegedly claimed to have made weekly purchases of methamphetamine, at $5,600 per pound, from Hudson over six months, according to the criminal complaint.
The investigation, according to court papers, included controlled buys of methamphetamine and court-approved wiretaps of Hudson’s phone conversations. Subsequently, authorities developed information that Hudson was in possession of a large quantity of methamphetamine and was going to sell it on Jan. 12 at a location in Cheltenham, according to the arrest affidavit. Authorities placed Hudson under surveillance and he was taken into custody at the Washington Lane location in Wyncote.
Hudson allegedly provided detectives a statement indicating two- to three-pounds of methamphetamine, approximately eight firearms and about $60,000 cash were at his home.
“He also stated that prior to being taken into custody he was on his way to sell one pound of methamphetamine for $4,700, which is located inside his red Ford Taurus…,” state agents alleged in the criminal complaint.
Authorities subsequently obtained warrants to search Hudson’s vehicle and residence where they seized the methamphetamine and a clear bag containing 431 packets of alleged heroin each stamped “New High Score Ultimate Level,” guns and drug packaging materials, according to court documents.
Investigators also seized $56,585 in assorted shoe boxes found in the bedroom of Hudson’s residence, the arrest affidavit indicated.
The Philadelphia Police Department, Cheltenham Township Police Department, and agents from the Office of Attorney General’s Gun Violence Task Force assisted in the Jan. 12 arrest and raid.