Police seize 1.76 pounds of marijuana in traffic stop
Erratic driver drew attention of police
A Philadelphia man was charged with possession of a controlled substance with intent to distribute after police allegedly found more than 1.7 pounds of marijuana in his vehicle.
Freddy A. Cruz, 33, of the 2800 block of Hancock Street, is also charged with possession of drug paraphernalia, possession of a controlled substance, having forged or counterfeit plates or documents and summary traffic offenses.
Eddystone Patrolman Mark Clark said in an affidavit of probable cause that he saw a silver 2013 Ford Fusion bearing a temporary Virginia registration fail to stop at a stop sign at East 10th Street while heading north on Eddystone Avenue on Sunday at about 11:12 p.m.
Clark said the Ford was “making quick swerving movements” while rapidly accelerating and braking. After conducting a traffic stop at East 12th Street, Clark said he noticed a strong odor of marijuana coming from the vehicle.
Cruz, the driver, appeared nervous and had two phones in his hands, according to the affidavit. He was leaning forward in his seat and tucking his right hand into the arm rest, Clark said. The affidavit states that a female passenger appeared to have dried blood around her mouth and lips.
Clark asked Cruz to exit the vehicle and saw numerous empty baggies and vials on the floorboard of the vehicle, the affidavit says. During a search of the vehicle, Clark allegedly found a large bag in the trunk containing 64 clear vials of suspected marijuana.
Officers also recovered a single pill of suspected alprazolam and another clear baggie of suspected marijuana from the Ford’s center console, according to the affidavit. Eddystone Police Lt. Joseph Pretti said the total weight of the seized cannabis was more than 800 grams, roughly 1.76 pounds.
Pretti noted Cruz was on parole for a 2018 possession of a firearm prohibited charge out of Philadelphia. He said a warrant had been issued for a violation in that case following Cruz’s arrest.
A check on the temporary registration also revealed it belonged to a Jeep product and the vehicle identification number returned unregistered to another Philadelphia man, the affidavit says.
Cruz, represented by attorney Jeremy-Evan Alva, was remanded to the county jail in Concord after failing to post $50,000 cash bail. He is scheduled for a preliminary hearing June 5 before Magisterial District Judge Philip S. Turner.