A motor vehicle stop on 21st Avenue yielded one arrest and the seizure of marijuana on Friday afternoon, according to Passaic County Sheriff Richard Berdnik.
Carlos Batista, 23-year-old, of Paterson, was arrested and charged with marijuana possession, distribution, and distribution in a school zone at around 2 p.m. on 21st Avenue and Lewis Street.
Carlos Batista | Passaic County Sheriff’s Office
Batista was a passenger in a white Audi driven by Gabriella Palmer, 25, of Paterson. Passaic County corporal Ken MacNish conducted the motor vehicle stop.
MacNish approached the vehicle and asked for license, registration, and insurance. Palmer did not have any of the documents, according to authorities. A backup officer noticed strong marijuana odor coming out of the vehicle.
Officers found a black backpack inside the vehicle that contained a medium size clear baggie of marijuana. Asked who the bag belonged to, Batista said it was his bag. Authorities discovered Palmer was driving while suspended.
Palmer was issued two summonses for driving while suspended and improper display of tags.