Two out-of-state residents were taken into police custody and charged for drug offenses in New Jersey on Nov. 9. In a press release published on Nov. 13, police claim that officers pulled the Nissan Altima over for an obstructed license plate and failing to maintain one lane. The traffic stop occurred on the southbound side of Route 1 in Fort Lee. While investigating the traffic violation, the officer claims to have noticed that both occupants appeared anxious.
The 43-year-old driver claimed that the vehicle belonged to a friend but could not provide any information to contact said individual. Both the driver and his 31-year-old male passenger are residents of Pennsylvania. The driver reportedly refused officers' requests to search the vehicle once they became suspicious. In response, police used the K-9 unit to sniff around the vehicle. The unit alerted officers to possible drugs, prompting them to impound the vehicle while they waited to receive a search warrant.
Police subsequently detained the driver after he failed a roadside sobriety test. The passenger was taken into custody for being in violation of a court order. Once police executed the search warrant, they recovered a digital scale and alleged marijuana from inside the vehicle. Both occupants were charged with distribution of drug paraphernalia and distribution of marijuana.
People charged with drug trafficking or other serious charges may benefit from seeking counsel from an attorney experienced in criminal defense. Legal counsel may construct a defense based on challenging the warrants used to obtain evidence that might be critical to the prosecution. An attorney may also be able to negotiate a favorable plea agreement if he or she is unable to obtain an acquittal or a dismissal.
Source: NJ.com, "Two face marijuana distribution charges after Fort Lee K-9 sniffs out drugs, police say", Noah Cohen, November 13, 2014