A 42-year-old Palmer man was arrested early Friday morning after Cumberland County deputies discovered quantities of methamphetamine, fentanyl, and drug paraphernalia during a roadside encounter.

According to an incident report from the Cumberland County Sheriff’s Office, Corporal Shawn Aytes was on patrol on August 15, 2026, when he encountered a white Jeep with Grundy County tags parked along Hinch Mountain Road at approximately 4:07 AM.

Deputies made contact with the driver and the passenger, Eric T. Keener, both of whom appeared to be sweating profusely. When questioned about their presence, the occupants claimed they had just arrived to dig wild flowers.

During a frisk search, deputies recovered a modified pen casing containing a white crystal-like residue from the driver. Following a subsequent search of the vehicle, law enforcement uncovered:

• 3.85 grams of a white powdery substance identified as fentanyl

• 2.27 grams of a crystal-like substance identified as methamphetamine

• A small amount of marijuana

• Two glass pipes commonly used to ingest narcotics

After being read his rights, Keener claimed ownership of the narcotics found in the vehicle. The driver was released at the scene with the vehicle and faced no charges.

Keener was taken into custody, transported to the Cumberland County Sheriff’s Office jail, and booked on charges including manufacture, delivery, sale, or possession of methamphetamine, simple possession, and unlawful possession of drug paraphernalia. His bond was set at $9,000 total, with a court appearance scheduled for September 28, 2026.