Failing to follow traffic laws, such as wearing a seat belt, can sometimes lead to a traffic stop. In most cases, being pulled over for having an unbuckled passenger is a quick traffic stop. For one 27-year-old man, a Maryland State Police trooper seeing an unbuckled passenger in a vehicle led to much more than.
The incident occurred on Route 13 when the trooper noticed that someone in the Nissan Altima wasn’t wearing a seat belt. He pulled the vehicle over at Tulls Corner Road. The driver was identified, but the passenger said he didn’t have any identification.
The trooper, who called in another trooper for assistance, claims that both men gave incorrect information about the identity of the passenger. Eventually, it was discovered that the passenger was a 31-year-old man from Virginia who had a warrant in his home state for possession of drugs with the intent to distribute and possession of a firearm by a convicted felon.
The troopers searched the vehicle after reportedly smelling marijuana. They found a black plastic bag inside the air cleaner box that contained 121.22 grams of cocaine powder. Both men were arrested and charged with possession of cocaine, possession with intent to distribute and making a false statement to an officer. The driver has a $50,000 bond. The passenger has a $75,000 bond but is being held on the fugitive warrant without bond.
These men are facing serious drug charges that can have lasting consequences. Before they face these charges in Snow Hill District Court in April, they should make sure they fully understand the consequences of the charges against them. Speaking with a Maryland criminal defense attorney might help them learn what they need to know about these drug charges and how to present a strong defense.
Source: delmarvanow.com, “State Troopers find cocaine stashed under car hood in Worcester County” No author given, Mar. 04, 2014