CLIFTON — Police arrested a 25-year-old city man on marijuana distribution charges after a traffic stop early Wednesday.
According to police reports, Officer Jomarcell Urena approached a 2005 Acura TSX on Lakeview Avenue near Garretsee Place around 2:10 a.m. and immediately detected the presence of drugs.
The driver, Joseph Lee, was unable to provide a vehicle registration or insurance card and was asked to exit the vehicle, Detective Lt. Robert Bracken said. He allegedly refused, and the car’s tinted windows prevented the officer from observing the driver’s activity inside the vehicle.
After trying to persuade Lee to exit the car, Urena, along with Officers James Zenock and Alessio Esposito, tried to force him from the vehicle, police said.
Lee then grabbed the door and attempted to shut it, police said. He also gripped the steering wheel and refused to let go before eventually attempting to move to the passenger side, Bracken said.
After a lengthy struggle that involved the use of pepper spray and a baton, the driver was taken into custody, Bracken reported.
Marijuana and currency were recovered from the vehicle and Lee, the sole occupant of the vehicle, was charged with obstruction of the administration of law; resisting arrest; possession of marijuana; distribution of marijuana; possession with intent to distribute marijuana on school property; and possession of drug paraphernalia. Clifton police did not provide information about how much marijuana or how much money was seized.
credit:northjersey.com