Braddock Borough, PA (PPP)— Detectives from the Allegheny County Police Department Narcotics Unit made an arrest after conducting surveillance in Braddock Borough.

The detectives observed an unknown black male, later identified as Carlos Hamlin. During surveillance, they observed Hamlin repeatedly meeting with individuals on the street and exchanging unknown items consistent with street-level sales of illicit narcotics, according to a criminal complaint filed in district court.

While conducting surveillance, detectives followed Hamlin and activated their emergency lights and siren to initiate a traffic stop. During the stop, they discovered a blunt floating in a Pepsi bottle in the center console cup holder of Hamlin’s vehicle. Hamlin could not produce photo identification or a driver’s license and provided verbal consent to a search of his person. The detectives found $216.00 in his pocket and subsequently searched his vehicle, according to the complaint.

During the search of the vehicle, the detectives found a small metal box in the center console containing seven knotted plastic baggie corners each containing crack cocaine and three white glassine stamp bags containing suspected Fentanyl / heroin. In addition, they recovered numerous empty plastic sandwich bags used to package crack cocaine from the rear pocket of the passenger seat, and a piece of mail addressed to Hamlin from the driver’s side sun visor. Hamlin was placed under arrest and transported to the Allegheny County Jail, according to the complaint.

Hamlin was charged with possession with intent to deliver a controlled substance, possession of a controlled substance, and driving while operating privileges are suspended.

Name: Carlos D. Hamlin
Gender: Male
Age: 43

Agency: Allegheny County Police Department

Court: Magisterial District Court 05-2-47
Docket Number: MJ-05247-CR-0000156-2023
Date Filed: March 21, 2023

Bail: $5,000
Confinement: Allegheny County Jail
Confinement Reason: Unable to post bail. Note: bail was posted the following day by Liberty Bail Bonds.

Criminal Charges

1. Manufacture, delivery, or possession with intent to manufacture or deliver, a controlled substance by a person not registered (Felony)
2. Manufacture, delivery, or possession with intent to manufacture or deliver, a controlled substance by a person not registered (Felony)
3. Possession of controlled substance with intent to deliver (Misdemeanor)
4. Possession of controlled substance with intent to deliver (Misdemeanor)
5. Possession with intent to use drug paraphernalia for the purpose of manufacturing (Misdemeanor)
6. Driving while operating privilege is suspended or revoked (Summary)
7. Turning movements and required signals (Summary)

Affidavit of Probable Cause

On Tuesday, March 21, 2023, Detective Kintigh and I, Detective Mikelonis, of the Allegheny County Police Department Narcotics Unit were conducting surveillance in Braddock Borough. Over the last couple weeks, we observed an unknown black male, who was later identified as Carlos Hamlin, operating a Chevrolet Malibu with blue rims bearing PA registration ███████. The vehicle was registered to ███████ of ████████████, Pittsburgh, PA 15221. We observed Hamlin repeatedly drive around the areas of Braddock Avenue, Talbot Avenue, Washington Avenue, Fifth Street and Sixth Street. Over the course of conducting surveillance, we observed Hamlin pull over numerous times and meet with individuals on the street and sidewalks and exchange unknown items with these individuals at his open driver’s side window and then drive off within a few seconds. Based upon our training and experience, these transactions are consistent with street level sales of illicit narcotics. It should be noted while acting in an undercover capacity, I have purchased illicit narcotics in the same exact manner on numerous occasions from individuals in exchange for U.S. currency.

While conducting surveillance on Washington Avenue, Hamlin was parked and standing on the sidewalk and reentered his vehicle and drove off as we followed behind. Hamlin turned left on Eighth Street, then left on Talbot Avenue and right onto Sixth Street. Hamlin did not use a turn signal at any time while following behind his vehicle. Detective Kintigh and I activated our red and blue emergency lights and siren and initiated a traffic stop and Hamlin pulled over on Sixth Street at Braddock Avenue. Detective Kintigh made contact with Hamlin and identified himself and advised him the reason for the stop. While speaking with Hamlin, we observed a blunt floating in a Pepsi bottle in the center console cup holder. Hamlin advised he was smoking marijuana earlier and discarded the blunt in the Pepsi bottle when he saw us. Chief Bradford of the Braddock Borough Police Department arrived on scene to assist.

Hamlin could not produce photo identification or a driver’s license and was asked to step out of the vehicle, and he complied. Hamlin provided verbal consent to search his person and Detective Kintigh located $216.00 in his pants pocket made up of mostly small denominations. Detective Kintigh asked Hamlin where he worked, and he stated he didn’t have a job. I checked Hamlin’s information through PENNDOT and found his driving privileges were under suspension. I asked Hamlin if he cared if we searched his vehicle and he replied no but just requested that I grab his phone, I advised Hamlin I would place his phone on the roof of the vehicle until I finished searching the vehicle.

I located a small metal box in the center console that had a lid that slid off and contained seven knotted plastic baggie corners each containing crack cocaine and a small amount of loose crack cocaine and three white glassine stamp bags stamped “POWER BALL” in blue ink each containing suspected Fentanyl / heroin. We placed Hamlin under arrest, double locked the cuffs and checked for proper fit. In addition, I recovered numerous empty plastic sandwich bags, which are used to package crack cocaine, from the rear pocket of the passenger seat. I also recovered a piece of mail addressed to Carlos Hamlin from the driver’s side sun visor. It should be noted we did not recover any user paraphernalia consistent with the ingestion of crack cocaine or Fentanyl / heroin from Hamlin or his vehicle. Detective Kintigh and I secured Hamlin in the rear seat of our unmarked police vehicle and placed his seat belt on. We then transported Hamlin to the Allegheny County Jail without incident.