NORWICH – A man who was arrested behind the wheel of an SUV carrying more than $7,000 worth of heroin and cocaine pleaded guilty in court last week to transporting the drugs through the area.

In early May, a state trooper pulled over 31-year-old Ebae M. Shambley of Utica for not having a proper inspection sticker on his blue 1997 Ford Explorer and discovered the suspect also had a suspended driver’s license.

After impounding the vehicle, the trooper was surprised to discover thousands of dollars worth of packaged cocaine inside. The Greene Police Department’s K-9 unit also discovered thousands more worth of heroin hidden inside the vehicle’s internal paneling.

“The trooper then seized the vehicle and in the course of taking an inventory of the contents, a routine procedure for all seized vehicles that ensures all seized property is later returned, they found a bag containing approximately one and a half ounces (45 grams) of crack cocaine,” said State Police Lt. Patrick Garey.

Trooper Thomas Becker, stationed at Norwich, pulled Shambley over as he was heading north on State Highway 12, in the Town of Norwich, this past Mother’s Day.

In court, District Attorney Joseph McBride said Shambley was transporting the drugs from Philadelphia to his home in Utica, after visiting his sister. Police said Shambley’s fiancee and two children were also in the vehicle at the time of his arrest.