Cops Find 5 Pounds Of Marijuana In Vauxhall Man’s Car During Essex County Traffic Stop

ESSEX COUNTY, NJ — Essex County police arrested a Vauxhall man after finding more than five pounds of marijuana in his car during a traffic stop in Newark on Tuesday, authorities say.

According to the Essex County Sheriff’s Office, detectives from the Bureau of Narcotics were conducting plainclothes quality of life operations in the area of Newark’s Spruce and Barclay streets when a 2016 Lincoln MKX illegally passed an unmarked police cruiser at a high rate of speed, allegedly running a red light on Somerset Street.

After pulling the vehicle over and approaching the driver, officers allegedly noticed the “pungent” odor of marijuana coming from the car. In the rear passenger seat, detectives reportedly saw an open, black backpack filled with multiple, vacuum-sealed bags with suspected marijuana. Officers also saw a zip lock bag with marijuana in the car’s center console cup holder, authorities stated.

When police ordered the driver out of the vehicle, he ran from the scene but was quickly captured after a brief foot chase, authorities said.

Police seized a total of more than five pounds of marijuana with an estimated street value of $25,000, authorities said.

Authorities charged Rashan Holloway, 33 of Vauxhall, with possession of a controlled dangerous substance, possession of CDS, possession of CDS with intent to distribute, possession of CDS with intent to distribute within 1000 feet Louise A. Spencer Elementary School, possession of CDS with intent to distribute within 500 feet Douglass Park and resisting arrest. He was also issued motor vehicle summonses for improper passing, failure to observe a traffic signal and having CDS in a motor vehicle.

He was transported to the Essex County Jail and held in lieu of $150,000 cash bond only.