The Somerset Sheriff’s Department arrested two women on Monday on drug trafficking charges following a traffic stop that allegedly led to the seizure of fentanyl and cocaine.
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At approximately 11:00 a.m., Somerset Deputy Allen Jones spotted Shania Tripp, 28, formerly of St. Albans, while at the Circle K in Canaan. He saw her getting into the passenger side of a vehicle.
Tripp was out on probation and subject to an active arrest warrant.
The deputy saw that the vehicle had an expired inspection sticker and initiated a traffic stop while on Easy Street in Canaan.
As part of Tripp’s probation conditions, she was required to submit to random drug searches and testing.
Jones arrested Tripp on her active warrant and searched her belongings, where he allegedly found 86.7 grams of crack cocaine.
Tripp allegedly admitted to Jones that she was also concealing fentanyl on her person.
The driver was identified as Krista Robinson, 42, of St. Albans, and she was also searched.
During the search, Jones reportedly found a large amount of illegal drugs that Robinson had discarded on the ground of the vehicle’s passenger seat.
In total, Jones seized 114 grams of crack cocaine and 8.7 grams of fentanyl.
Tripp was arrested on her active warrant and additionally charged with aggravated trafficking in scheduled drugs, unlawful trafficking in scheduled drugs, and violating conditions of release. She was transported to the Somerset County Jail, where she was held on a probation hold.
Robinson was arrested and charged with unlawful trafficking in scheduled drugs, falsifying physical evidence, and unlawful possession of scheduled drugs. She was also transported to the Somerset County Jail, where she was issued a $25,000 bail.
Additional charges may be forthcoming.
Tripp was previously arrested in 2023 in connection with the theft of a white 2013 Kia Optima.
