Englewood Cliffs NJ police recently arrested a Pennsylvania man accused of marijuana distribution while driving through New Jersey.

According to authorities, a Palisades Interstate Parkway police officer noticed that the suspect’s vehicle had tinted windows while driving on the highway. When the patrol officer pulled over the suspect and walked toward the suspect’s car, he allegedly detected the odor of marijuana coming from the vehicle.

The suspect spoke with the police officer and allegedly admitted that he had been smoking marijuana prior to getting behind the wheel of his vehicle.

When police subsequently searched the suspect’s car, they allegedly discovered a bag containing roughly four ounces of marijuana. The illegal drugs were reportedly hidden in the car’s rear armrest.

The 22-year-old suspect, who resides in Allentown, Pennsylvania, was arrested and charged with several drug offenses, including marijuana possession of more than 50 grams and possession with intent to distribute marijuana.

If the suspect had been arrested for possessing less than 50 grams of pot, he would have been charged with the disorderly persons offense of simple possession of marijuana. Instead, however, the suspect has been charged with a felony for possessing more than 50 grams of marijuana. As a result, he faces significant criminal penalties. As set forth by N.J.S.A. 2C:35-5, anyone found guilty of intent to distribute more than one ounce of marijuana can potentially be sentenced to a term of incarceration of 3-5 years in New Jersey State Prison.

After being placed under arrest and processed, the suspect was remanded to the Bergen County Jail in Hackensack, New Jersey. He was being held at the jail in lieu of $12,500 bail.

For additional information about this case, see the NJ.com article, “Tinted Windows in N.J. Lead to Marijuana Distribution Charge for Pa. Man.”