Police: Man Arrested With 16 Pounds Of Marijuana In Van

A Pennsylvania man was arrested May 22 with 16 pounds of marijuana after the Port Authority police officer pulled him over a week earlier for a minor traffic violation, authorities said.

Officer Martin Smolen pulled over William L. Reed while he was driving a silver Dodge van at 12th and Provost streets in Jersey City for driving without headlights on, Port Authority Police said.

During the traffic stop, the man fled in his vehicle into the Holland Tunnel into New York City, said Joseph Pentangelo, a spokesman with the Port Authority. Reed left his vehicle registration, which had his name on it, with Smolen.

A warrant was put out for Reed’s arrest, police said.

Smolen saw Reed while he was stopped and in the same van again May 22 in Jersey City, Pentangelo said.

As Reed was being arrested, he told Smolen that there was marijuana in the van; a police dog indicated there were drugs in the vehicle, police said.

Lt. Joseph Macaluso of the Port Authority Police Department obtained a search warrant and more than 16 and a half pounds of marijuana were found in the van.

Reed, 42, was charged with possession of controlled dangerous substance, possession of a controlled dangerous substance with intent to distribute, possession of a controlled dangerous substance with intent to distribute within 500 feet of a housing facility, and hindering apprehension. He had a suspended driver’s license and traffic warrants out of North Hunterdon and Readington townships.

Bail was set at $40,000 cash with no 10 percent option.

Pictured: William Reed, 42, and the marijuana Reed has in the van he was driving/Courtesy of the Port Authority Police Department)