Traffic stop leads to big marijuana haul

State police said they discovered 12 pounds of marijuana and 50 fentanyl pills in a Reading man’s luxury car that they stopped for a window-tinting violation in the middle of the night on Route 222 in Maidencreek Township.

Two troopers from the Reading station were paired on the overnight patrol shift when they stopped the car about 1:30 a.m. Friday near the intersection of Schaeffer Road.

According to court records:

One of the troopers approached the car from the passenger side and told the driver, who is not the owner of the car, the reason for the stop: the passenger windows were so darkly shaded that it was almost impossible for someone outside the vehicle to see any occupants, which is against state law.

The trooper’s partner, who was standing on the driver’s side, noticed the magazine of a pistol protruding from under the driver’s seat. Both troopers also smelled burned marijuana coming from the interior.

The driver, Jackkar Colon, 27, of Pottstown, was immediately arrested for being in possession of a firearm while prohibited due to his criminal record. While searching him during his arrest, troopers found a small amount of cocaine and $1,200.

Meanwhile, troopers asked the passenger, Natali Rosado, 26, of Reading, for permission to search the car because he is the registered owner. He refused.

He was detained, and the car was towed to a secure lot while troopers obtained a search warrant from an on-call district judge.

The search revealed 12 pounds of marijuana in the trunk and 50 fentanyl pills in the glove box.

Colon was charged with possessing cocaine and possessing a firearm while prohibited. He was committed to Berks County Prison in lieu of $40,000 bail to await a hearing following arraignment Friday night before District Judge Brian K. Strand in Reading Central Court.

Rosado was charred with possessing and intending to deliver marijuana and fentanyl. He was committed to the county jail in lieu of $50,000 bail following arraignment Saturday morning before District Judge Carissa L. Johnson in Reading