Howard James Mercer, 52, charged after suspected heroin found during Clay Township traffic stop

On June 20, 2026, at about 12:39 p.m., Northern Lancaster County Regional Police stopped a vehicle for an obstructed registration plate in the 1900 block of W. Main Street, Clay Township. The driver, 52-year-old Howard James Mercer of Ephrata, consented to a search that uncovered suspected heroin and drug paraphernalia; Mercer was charged with possession of a controlled substance (35-780-113 A16) and possession of drug paraphernalia (35-780-113 A32) and the charges were filed before MDJ Landis.