WOODCLIFF LAKE, N.J.—An officer on stationary detail from a filling station the evening of April 10 saw a black Honda Civic head south on Chestnut Ridge Road with its driver manipulating a cell phone. A brake light was inoperative.
The officer stopped the defendant on on Glen Road prior to the parkway entrance ramp. At the window, he immediately smelled raw marijuana emanating from within the passenger compartment.
The defendant, 31, from Clifton, was unable to explain the odor. The officer radioed for a second unit. At that point the defendant suggested that a friend might have smoked marijuana in the car the day prior.
At the probable cause search, the defendant asked officers about whether he would be going to court or jail but he continued to deny having knowledge of any controlled dangerous substances in the car.
Police turned up a small wax fold stamped Momo in red ink containing believed heroin, a plastic container containing greenish vegetation believed to be marijuana, a partially smoked marijuana cigarette, and related paraphernalia.
The defendant was arrested and taken to headquarters, where he was given summons over possession of heroin, possession of marijuana under 50 grams, possession of drug paraphernalia.
His traffic summonses are use of handheld wireless telephone, operation of motor vehicle while in possession of narcotics, and maintenance of lamps.
He was given his court date and a ride back to his car.