54 bags of heroin, 31 empty bags, pills and $51.22 found in woman's vagina

Scranton police have charged a 27-year-old Scranton woman with possession of heroin, including some that was allegedly hidden in a private body cavity. Karin Mackaliunas faces two counts of possession of a controlled substance and one count each of possession of drug paraphernalia and possession of a controlled substance with an intent to deliver following an incident on March 13. According to an affidavit:

Mackaliunas was involved in a car crash in the city and was taken into custody by Scranton police at the request of Dunmore police for an alleged theft at a Dunmore hotel. While in the back seat of a police car, she “was moving around and putting her hands down her pants.” Officers searched Mackaliunas and discovered three bags of heroin in her coat pocket and placed her under arrest for criminal charges in Scranton. While transporting her to headquarters, Officer Nancy Baumann allegedly saw her continue to move around in the back seat of the vehicle.

Mackaliunas admitted to police after several denials that she had more heroin in her possession. She allegedly “put her hands inside her underwear and instead of getting the drugs out, she was attempting to shove them inside” her body. She told police there was a pocket inside her underwear that she was trying to remove the drugs from. She refused requests to put her hands behind her back and struggled with officers.

Mackaliunas later told Scranton Police Sgt. Mike Mayer that she concealed more heroin inside her body. She was taken to Community Medical Center by ambulance, accompanied by Mayer. He returned to police headquarters with 54 full bags and 31 empty bags of heroin marked “Black Magic,” several Xanax pills and $51.22 in cash. She was arraigned on March 14 and held for lack of 10 percent of $25,000 bail. A preliminary hearing is set for March 21.