Drugs Found After Stafford Traffic Stop: Police

MANAHAWKIN, NJ — A Collingswood man was charged after a motor vehicle stop Tuesday afternoon in Manahawkin led Stafford police to search his vehicle and recover suspected drugs, according to the Stafford Township Police Department.

Police said Patrolman Ryan Cahill conducted the stop at about 1 p.m. May 19 in the area of Route 9 and Bolton Lane. The driver was identified by police as 40-year-old David A. Della Valle of Penn Avenue in Collingswood.

According to the police department, Cahill developed reasonable suspicion during the stop that Della Valle was possessing a controlled dangerous substance inside the vehicle or on his person. Police then requested Detective Zach Wiatrowski and his narcotic K-9 partner, Venus, to the scene to conduct an exterior sniff of the vehicle.

The police department reported that K-9 Venus gave a positive indication for the presence of narcotics odor coming from within the vehicle. A search of the vehicle then revealed a quantity of suspected cocaine and prescription legend drugs, according to police.

Della Valle was charged with possession of cocaine and possession of a controlled dangerous substance, police said.

After processing at Stafford Township Police Department, Della Valle was released on a summons, according to the police department. Police said he was given a future court date at Ocean County Superior Court.