Maywood man arrested on pot charge after refusing Rochelle Park police search

YOU READ IT HERE FIRST: Rochelle Park police said they had just begun a consented car search when the driver stopped them, so they brought in a drug-sniffing dog, impounded the car, got a warrant and arrested him after finding three ounces of pot.

Photo Credit: *Courtesy of ROCHELLE PARK PD*

Jerry DeMarco

05/08/2014 4:06 p.m.

Patrolman Chris Rios stopped 22-year-old Kevin Manansala for several violation in the ShopRite parking lot on Passaic Streetwhen he smelled the odor of burnt marijuana, Detective Jim DePreta told CLIFFVIEW PILOT.

After getting “inconsistent accounts of [Manansala’s] driver’s destinations and whereabouts,” Rios requested consent to search the vehicle.

Manansala signed a consent form — but as soon as police opened the door, he shouted at them to stop.

So they did, DePreta said, and called in a Bergen County Sheriffs K-9 unit.

The dog indicated positive for drugs and the car was impounded. After getting a search warrant the next day, police found the weed in a backpack, the detective said.

Manansala was charged with possession of marijuana with the intent to distribute, possession of drug paraphernalia, and failing to turn over drug to police.

He was released pending a court appearance.

MUGSHOT: Courtesy of ROCHELLE PARK PD

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