Illegal Marijuana Possession Arrest Made By Darien Police

DARIEN, CT — Following a traffic stop by Darien police on June 18, a 19-year-old Stamford man was arrested with medical marijuana in his possession for which he did not have a prescription, according to authorities.

The incident began at about noon on the Post Road when a Darien police officer spotted Jason Najarro, of Revere Drive, driving a 2003 Jaguar without a front license plate. A check turned up information that the plate on the back of the vehicle belonged to a Toyota Camry, so Najarro was pulled over.

"The Officer conducted a motor vehicle stop, making contact with the driver," wrote police in a statement. "The Officer noted the strong odor of marijuana coming from the vehicle as she approached.

"The driver, Jason Najarro, informed the officer that he did not have a driver’s license, and that he had just purchased the vehicle, further explaining it was not registered or insured.

"He said he borrowed the rear plate from a friend to use so he could drive the vehicle.

"When asked about the marijuana odor, Najarro provided the Officer with a small plastic baggie and a prescription-pill container, each containing a quantity of marijuana. Najarro said there was no additional marijuana in the vehicle."

While that last statement may have had some truth to it, Darien police deployed in Police K9 Kenny to conduct "a free-air sniff of the exterior and interior of the vehicle," which led to several "alerts" that there may have been additional marijuana in the vehicle.

"A subsequent search by Officers revealed twelve (12) empty medical-marijuana dispensary-issued containers, along with six (6) empty medical-marijuana dispensary-issued tube-containers, and a few other various containers with marijuana residue on them," wrote police. "Also found was a 'vaporizer pen' with marijuana residue on it. Najarro explained to Officers that he used the vaporizer to smoke 'Hash Oil.'"

During questioning, Najarro "admitted to purchasing the marijuana from a friend who has a legal prescription," wrote police.

Najarro was issued misdemeanor summons for the narcotics/motor vehicle charges listed below and was released on a promise to appear in Stamford Superior Court on June 28:

• Possession of less than 4oz of marijuana
• Possession of Drug Paraphernalia
• Failure to Insure a Motor Vehicle
• Improper Use of a Marker Plate
• Operating an Unregistered Motor Vehicle

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