On Aug. 20, 2020, Guttenberg Police Officer Giuseppe Capparelli was observing traffic on River Road near Waterfront Park when he observed a male apparently smoking CDS (controlled dangerous substance) while operating his motor vehicle.

P.O. Capparelli conducted a motor vehicle stop for a traffic violation. While speaking with the driver the officer detected an odor of marijuana emanating from the interior of the vehicle. P.O. Capparelli asked the driver if he was in possession of marijuana and the driver indicated that he had thrown the drugs out of his vehicle prior to being stopped.

Due to the odor of marijuana and admission by the driver, a probable cause search of the interior of the vehicle was conducted. P.O. Capparelli asked the driver for permission to search his trunk, which the driver denied.

A Hudson County Sheriff’s officer and his narcotics K-9 were requested to respond to the scene of the motor vehicle stop in order to conduct a free air sniff of the vehicle. During the free air sniff of the vehicle, Hudson County Sheriff’s K-9 Nico made positive indication on the vehicle for the presence of narcotics.

During a subsequent search of the trunk, P.O. Capparelli located 210 wax folds of heroin, two bottles of methadone, a large zip-lock bag containing marijuana, 21 hypodermic needles, and various drug paraphernalia.
 
The male driver was arrested and charged with 2C:35-10A(1) Possession of Heroin, 2C:35-10A(1) Possession of Methadone, 2C:35-5b(3) Distribution of Heroin, 2C:35-10A(4) Possession of Marijuana Under 50 Grams, 2C:35-10C Failure to Make Lawful Disposition, 2C:36-6a Possession of Hypodermic Needles, and 2C:36-2 Possession of Drug Paraphernalia.