Man Headed to Montauk Busted for Drug Trafficking: Police

BRIDGEHAMPTON, NY — A routine stop for texting in Bridgehampton led to a drug trafficking bust for one Northport man headed to Montauk for the weekend, police said.

According to Southampton Town Police, the police department's community response unit was conducting pedestrian safety enforcement on Main Street in Bridgehampton when, at 7:27 p.m. a CRU observed Christopher Jennings, Jr., of Northport, driving a 2005 Ford SUV and texting while heading east on Montauk Highway near School Street.

The officer stopped Jennings and was met by the strong odor of marijuana coming from the vehicle, police said.

The officer also observed a clear plastic vial containing a brownish liquid that he recognized to be consistent with “concentrated cannabis”, commonly called hashish or hash, a controlled substance, police said.The vial was recovered and the substance field tested positive, police said.

During the ensuing investigation and search of the vehicle more than 300 vials of liquid “concentrated cannabis”, 16 ounces of fresh marijuana, two canisters containing nearly five pounds of “concentrated cannabis” gel, used in baked goods, 150 pre-made and individually packaged marijuana laced edible goods – similar to homemade Rice Krispies treats, more than $1,350 cash and nearly 100 other pieces of manufacturing, processing and packaging paraphernalia were recovered, police said.

Jennings, who was traveling to Montauk for the weekend, was charged with second degree criminal possession of marijuana, fourth degree criminal possession of a controlled substance, and fifth degree criminal possession of a controlled substance, all felonies, and seventh degree criminal possession of a controlled substance, a misdemeanor, police said.

The vehicle and cash were seized for possible forfeiture and Jennings was held for arraignment; additional
charges are expected, police said.