See The Moment An I-84 Stop Leads To Seizure Of 51 Pounds Of Pot

SOUTHEAST, NY — A traffic stop in Putnam County carried some serious weight, according to deputies.

A traffic stop on Interstate 84 in the Town of Southeast early July 25 led to the seizure of about 51 pounds of cannabis and the arrest of a West Hartford, Connecticut, woman, according to the Putnam County Sheriff's Office.

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Sheriff Brian Hess announced the arrest of Reynalda G. Sierra Mejia, 35, following the stop. The sheriff's office said that at 2:57 a.m. on Saturday, Deputy Victoria Crimmins was patrolling I-84 eastbound when she pulled over a black GMC SUV for traffic violations.

Deputy Crimmins noted signs indicating that Sierra Mejia may have been operating the vehicle while impaired by drugs, according to the sheriff's office. Sergeant Shane Rossiter responded to the scene and assisted with the investigation.

A search of the vehicle resulted in the recovery of approximately 51 pounds of cannabis in vacuum-sealed packages, according to the sheriff's office. Deputies also recovered a quantity of suspected narcotics that field tested positive for ketamine.

The sheriff's office said Sierra Mejia was taken to the Putnam County Correctional Facility, where a Drug Recognition Expert conducted an evaluation as part of the investigation.

Sierra Mejia was charged with felony criminal possession of cannabis in the first degree, criminal possession of a controlled substance in the seventh degree, and operating a motor vehicle while ability impaired by drugs. She was also issued traffic tickets.

Sierra Mejia was arraigned in the Town of Southeast Justice Court and released on her own recognizance.