MIDDLESEX TWP — A Venango County couple allegedly caught with more than 100 bags of heroin faces a hearing next week on felony and misdemeanor drug charges.

Middlesex Township police arrested Joden R. Garver, 32, and Nicole M. Hynes, 30, both of Oil City, after a traffic stop about 10 p.m. Dec. 26 at Route 8 and Eagle Mill Road.

Patrolman Brian Costanzo pulled over the Ford Escort owned and driven by Hynes, after learning that the vehicle’s license plate belonged to a Mercedes.

The officer got to the car and smelled burned marijuana, according to court documents. He also noticed Garver, a passenger, moving around in the car after removing Hynes from the vehicle.

A pat-down search of Garver, police said, turned up 105 stamp bags of suspected heroin, wrapped together with rubber bands.

A search of Hynes’ purse, documents said, revealed a small bag of suspected marijuana, several empty bags of suspected heroin and other drug contraband.

Costanzo, assisted by Penn Township police, found another bag of suspected marijuana in the car’s glove box.

District Judge Sue Haggerty arraigned both defendants on felony charges of possession with intent to deliver a controlled substance and conspiracy, and misdemeanor charges of possession of a controlled substance and drug paraphernalia.

Garver and Hynes told Haggerty that they are engaged and the parents of three children, ages 5, 9 and 12.

They were sent to the Butler County Prison on $10,000 bail each, following arraignment. Their preliminary hearings are set for Jan. 13 at Haggerty’s office in Saxonburg.