The trooper discovered that the driver of the vehicle did not have a license and, in speaking to the three passengers, observed what police called "evidence of illegal narcotics."

A trooper spotted the vehicle committing several traffic violations in Northampton at about 3 a.m., and stopped it shortly afterward in Hatfield, State Police said.

Four people are facing drug charges after a traffic stop on Interstate 91 Friday led to the seizure of 1,250 small bags of heroin, each labeled "Obama Care" in big red letters, State Police said.

A K-9 unit was requested, and the police dog, Frankie, located the bags of heroin. The four people were taken into custody, State Police said.


Asked about the labels on the bags, Trooper Todd Nolan, a State Police spokesman, said, "To the best of our knowledge, it's like branding." He said drug dealers commonly use branding on their wares so buyers can identify where the drugs originated.

All four were arraigned in Northampton District Court, and not-guilty pleas were automatically entered for each, prosecutors said.

Tyler Robenstein, 23, of Colchester, Vt., the driver of the vehicle, was charged with trafficking heroin, conspiracy to violate drug laws, possession with intent to distribute a Class A substance, speeding, unlicensed operation of a motor vehicle, and failure to change lanes for an emergency vehicle. He was held on $1,000 bail, Northwestern District Attorney David E. Sullivan's office said.

Ashley Beaulieu, 21, of Colchester, Vt., was charged with trafficking heroin, conspiracy to violate drug laws, and possession with intent to distribute a Class A substance. She was held on $500 bail.

Marquese Jones, 22, of Newark was charged with trafficking heroin, conspiracy to violate drug laws, and possession with intent to distribute a Class A substance. He was held on $5,000 bail.

Sherod Green, 21, of Newark was charged with trafficking heroin, conspiracy to violate drug laws, and possession with intent to distribute a Class A substance. He was held on $5,000 bail.


All four are due back in court Jan. 17, prosecutors said.

Melissa Hanson can be reached at melissa.hanson @globe.com or on Twitter @Melissa__Hanson.