N.J. State Police DWI stop on Route 80 yields nearly 2 pounds of pot

YOU READ IT HERE FIRST: New Jersey State Police seized 1.8 pounds of marijuana, dozen of pills and drug paraphernalia after stopping an apparent drunk driver whose car was crossing lanes on Route 80 in Paterson.

Jerry DeMarco

03/20/2012 5:33 p.m.

Elmo Suarez (MUGSHOT: NJSP)

While patrolling on Interstate 80 in Paterson, Troopers Joseph Serrecchia and John Walsh stopped Elmo Suarez, 34, of Newark, for failing to maintain a single lane, NJSP Sgt. Brian Polite said.

Both said they smelled a strong odor of raw marijuana from inside the vehicle. Suarez also appeared to have been drinking.

The troopers immediately placed him under arrest.

Inside the vehicle, Polite said, they found 1.8 pounds of marijuana, 150 Endocet and other unknown pills, a digital scale, and drug packaging material.

Suarez was charged with marijuana possession, illegal prescription drug possession, possession of drug paraphernalia and DWI. He’s being held on $35,000 bail in the Passaic County Jail.

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