A routine traffic stop in Aberdeen on the evening of Wednesday, July 22, ended with a Havre de Grace man in handcuffs after police say they uncovered a loaded handgun, roughly six ounces of suspected crystal meth, suspected cocaine, distribution paraphernalia and more than $2,500 in cash.
The stop happened near Route 22 and Old Post Road when an officer pulled a vehicle over and then called for additional units as the encounter progressed. What started as standard traffic enforcement quickly turned into a full search, according to police.
Officers say the investigation led to the arrest of 46-year-old Dustin Beresh of Heather Way in Havre de Grace. He was taken into custody without incident and transported to the Harford County Detention Center, where authorities say he was initially held without bail. Investigators determined Beresh is prohibited from possessing firearms, and police report he faces multiple firearms and controlled-dangerous-substance charges, as reported by WBFF.
Harford County K-9s And Patrol Strategy
The Harford County Sheriff's Office 2025 annual report shows the K-9 Unit logged 458 deployments and 327 controlled-dangerous-substance scans last year, highlighting how often canine teams are tapped for drug work. That track record helps explain why Aberdeen officers requested a K-9 during this traffic stop, according to the Harford County Sheriff's Office.
Traffic Enforcement As A Tool
Aberdeen police have long leaned on targeted traffic enforcement and proactive patrols to pull illegal guns and drugs off the street, describing vehicle stops as a common window into other crimes. In a March 2024 APD news release, the department detailed a separate stop that turned up a non-serialized "ghost gun" and suspected distribution amounts of marijuana, while outlining patrol tactics used in areas that had seen firearm-related calls.
Legal Context
Maryland law bars certain people from possessing "regulated firearms," including those convicted of disqualifying crimes and individuals who are addicted to or habitual users of controlled dangerous substances, under the Public Safety Article. Penalties for handgun and weapons violations can include mandatory minimum jail terms and enhanced sentences in some circumstances, according to the Maryland General Assembly's fiscal and policy analysis of state firearm statutes and related bills.
