Police Find 80 Grams Of Marijuana, $22,000 During Fair Lawn Traffic Stop

FAIR LAWN, N.J. — Police found nearly 80 grams of marijuana and more than $22,400 during a motor vehicld stop on Route 208 Thursday, authorities said.

Police stopped a vehicle on Route 208 North at McBride Avenue at 6:24 p.m. and arrested the driver, Christopher Velez, 25, and passenger, Anthony Pimentel, 22, both of Paterson, who told authorities they had been smoking marijuana in the vehicle and turned over two bags of the substance, said Sgt. Brian Metzler.

Police searched the vehicle and found 11 "large bags" of marijuana, five cell phones, and a "large bundle of cash" inside a hidden compartment, Metzler said. Velez also had a large amount of cash in his pocket, police said.

Nearly 80 grams and marijuana and $22,412 were found, Metzler said.

Velez and Pimentel were both charged with distribution of marijuana, possession of marijuana over 50 grams, and money laundering, police said.

Velez was also charged with failure to yield to oncoming traffic, having a controlled dangerous substance in a motor vehicle, and tinted windows. Both men were released after being charged, police said.

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Photo: The marijuana and money police seized during the motor vehicle stop Thursday. — Fair Lawn Police Department