Cedar Grove Cops Rack Up Marijuana Arrests In Essex County

Cedar Grove police officers have been making scores of marijuana-related arrests in recent weeks.

From Feb.1 to Feb. 13, Cedar Grove officers made 10 arrests for marijuana-related offenses that included possession to intent to distribute.

According to police, the arrests included:

• On Monday, February 1, at 5:41 p.m., a Cedar Grove officer responded to Little Falls Road on a citizen’s report of an occupied suspicious vehicle parked in the old tennis courts lot. Upon speaking to the lone occupant, the officer allegedly detected the odor of marijuana emanating from the vehicle passenger compartment. A subsequent investigation resulted in the arrest of the subject, identified as a 34 year-old man from Elmwood Park, after he was found to be in possession of CDS marijuana (under 50g) and drug paraphernalia (two packages of rolling papers). He was processed on the charges at police headquarters and released pending a Municipal Court appearance.
• On Tuesday, February 2, at 10:38 p.m., a Cedar Grove officer initiated a motor vehicle stop for observed violations. As the officer secured the operator’s credentials, he allegedly detected the odor of marijuana emanating from inside the vehicle. A subsequent investigation resulted in the arrest of a 24 year-old from Little Falls after she was found to be in possession of CDS marijuana (under 50g) and drug paraphernalia (a metal grinder). The defendant was processed on the charges at police headquarters and released pending a Municipal Court appearance.
• On Wednesday, February 3, at 1:20 a.m., a Cedar Grove officer initiated a motor vehicle stop for observed violations. As the officer secured the operator’s credentials, he allegedly detected the odor of marijuana emanating from the vehicle. A subsequent investigation resulted in the arrest of a 22 year-old Verona man after he was found to be in possession of CDS marijuana (under 50g) and drug paraphernalia (a glass pipe). The defendant was processed on the charges at police headquarters and released pending a Municipal Court appearance.
• On Friday, February 5, at 8:13 p.m., a Cedar Grove officer initiated a motor vehicle stop for an observed violation. As the officer secured the operator’s credentials, he allegedly detected the odor of marijuana emanating from the vehicle. A subsequent investigation resulted in the arrest of a 19 year-old Belleville man after he was found to be in possession of drug paraphernalia (two containers and small bags containing marijuana residue). The defendant was processed on the charge at police headquarters and released pending a Municipal Court appearance.
• On Sunday, February 7, at 12:05 a.m., a Cedar Grove officer initiated a motor vehicle stop for an observed violation. As the officer secured the operator’s credentials, he allegedly detected the odor of marijuana emanating from the vehicle. A subsequent investigation resulted in the detention of a 17 year-old vehicle passenger after he was found to be in possession of four small bags of CDS marijuana (under 50g). The juvenile defendant was processed at police headquarters and turned over to a guardian pending Juvenile Court proceedings.
• On Sunday, February 7, a Cedar Grove officer initiated a motor vehicle stop at 6:50 p.m. Police arrested a 23 year-old East Orange man on charges he was operating while his NJ driving privileges were under suspension. During the course of his arrest, the suspect was also found to be in possession of CDS marijuana (under 50g) and drug paraphernalia. The defendant was processed on all charges at police headquarters and released pending a Municipal Court appearance.
• On Tuesday, February 9, at 12:14 a.m., a Cedar Grove officer initiated a motor vehicle stop for an observed violation. As the officer secured the operator’s credentials, he allegedly detected the odor of marijuana emanating from inside of the vehicle. A subsequent investigation resulted in the arrest of a 20 year-old Montclair woman after she was found to be in possession of CDS marijuana (under 50g) and drug paraphernalia (a glass pipe). The defendant was processed on the charges at police headquarters and released pending a Municipal Court appearance.
• On Thursday, February 11, at 3:41 p.m., a Cedar Grove officer initiated a motor vehicle stop for an observed violation. As the officer secured the operator’s credentials, he allegedly detected the odor of marijuana emanating from the vehicle’s passenger compartment. A subsequent investigation resulted in the arrest of a 24 year-old Bloomfield man after he was found to be in possession of CDS marijuana (13g) and several items of drug paraphernalia (digital scale, empty plastic bags, and a converted tennis ball container used to store marijuana). In addition to charges for the possession of these items, the Bloomfield resident was also charged with the intent to distribute CDS marijuana. The defendant was processed on all charges at police headquarters and released pending a Superior Court Arraignment in Newark on February 25.
• On Friday, February 12, at 9:44 p.m., police responded to Sweetwood Drive on a citizen’s report of a van occupied by multiple juveniles allegedly driving recklessly through the neighborhood. Responding officers located an occupied van parked on Sweetwood and approached the operator who was identified as a 17 year-old township juvenile. While speaking to the subject, officers allegedly detected the odor of marijuana emanating from the vehicle and observed the juvenile displaying signs he had ingested marijuana. A subsequent investigation resulted in the detention of the juvenile after he was found to be in possession of CDS marijuana (under 50g) and drug paraphernalia. The juvenile was processed at police headquarters and released to a guardian pending Juvenile Court proceedings.
• On Saturday, February 13, at 4:59 p.m., a Cedar Grove officer initiated a motor vehicle stop after observing the operator utilizing a cell phone while driving. As the officer secured the operator’s credentials, she allegedly detected the odor of marijuana emanating from the vehicle. A subsequent investigation resulted in the arrest of a 23 year-old West Orange man after he was found to be in possession of CDS marijuana (under 50g). The suspect was processed on the charge at police headquarters and released pending a Municipal Court appearance.

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