Patch, Martins Ferry’s newest K9 officer, with drugs and paraphernalia seized Wednesday while assisting the Bridgeport police on his birthday. Photo Provided

BRIDGEPORT — Martins Ferry’s newest K9 officer gave a birthday present to the village of Bridgeport Wednesday by helping with a drug bust.

According to Bridgeport Police Chief John Bumba, officers were on routine patrol early Wednesday when they initiated a traffic stop on DeKalb Street near Jaquette Street in the village. Law enforcement reportedly observed indicators of criminal behavior and requested K9 assistance from the Martins Ferry Police Department.

K9 Officer Patch, who was hard at work on his birthday, had a positive alert on the vehicle in question. The subsequent search of the vehicle resulted in the seizure of approximately one ounce of combined fentanyl, heroin and crack, along with about $1,000 in cash, a scale and packaging materials commonly used for the sale of narcotics.

Joshua Carney of Wheeling, Kristen Nieman of Clarksburg, and Joseph Payne of Wheeling were transported to the Belmont County Jail and charged with second-degree felony counts of trafficking in drugs and possession of drugs.

Carney and Nieman were also charged with misdemeanor possession of drug paraphernalia and drug abuse instruments.

The half-German Shepherd, half-Malinois dog is named after William “Patch” Patsche, who was a police officer for the Purple City from 1967-96, and who served the last three-and-a-half of those years as chief of police. He died several years ago. The purchase of the K9 was made possible with a donation from the Patsche family.