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Springfield license plate recognition system leads to heroin bust

Springfield license plate recognition system leads to heroin bust

ABC 40

By Nate Walsh

June 8, 2010 01:14 PM EDT

SPRINGFIELD, Mass. (WGGB) -- Police have allegedly seized 100 bags of heroin during a Sunday night traffic stop on Bay Street thanks to the use of the city's license plate recognition technology.

According to Springfield Police Sgt. John Delaney, Douglas Denmark, 23, of 72 Darling St., has been arrested for possession of a heroin with intent to distribute after an officer has used his cruiser's license plate detection system to determine the 2002 Toyota Camry he had been driving was possibly stolen or unregistered.

During the stop, Denmark was allegedly observed attempting to hide the individual bags of heroin, which were stamped with the word "QUEEN," in his pants, and he was placed under arrest, according to police.

According to Delaney, Denmark is suspected of selling the drug from his Darling Street home in the Indian Orchard neighborhood of the city.