2 charged with drug trafficking, possession | The Bennington Banner

By Tiffany Tan, Bennington Banner

BENNINGTON — Two Northshire residents were arrested Sunday after police reported finding heroin and fentanyl in their vehicle during a traffic stop in Bennington.

Derek Bushee, of Arlington, and Joshua Bushee, of Sunderland, both 37 years old, are facing state charges of trafficking fentanyl and possessing at least 200 milligrams of heroin.

The drugs were discovered after Joshua Bushee was stopped for speeding on Route 7 in Bennington around 7 p.m. Sunday, two Vermont state troopers said in sworn statements obtained from court.

During the stop, the troopers said, both men appeared nervous and fidgety. Upon questioning, Joshua Bushee admitted he was a heroin user and that there was heroin in the truck.

A search of the vehicle uncovered 70 glassine bags of drugs, as well as drug paraphernalia, according to an affidavit by Trooper Thomas Sandberg. How much of the drugs was fentanyl or heroin wasn’t clear.

“Joshua expressed his frustration with his addiction, growing increasingly emotional as he stated he will likely not obtain employment in the area due to being caught with heroin,” Sandberg’s statement reads.

The troopers said they also found a receipt indicating the men had just traveled from Troy, N.Y.

Trafficking fentanyl carries a prison sentence of up to 30 years; possessing 200 mg or more of heroin, up to five years.

The Bushees pleaded not guilty Monday at the Bennington County Superior Court. Derek Bushee’s next hearing is scheduled for June 24; Joshua Bushee’s, July 26. Their cases have been assigned to defense attorney Jonathan Ward.

The men have been released from jail on bail and under conditions that include not having any contact with each other.

Tiffany Tan can be reached at ttan@benningtonbanner.com, @tiffgtan at Twitter and 802-447-7567 ext. 122.