Two Charged with Drug Possession in Car Stop by Cops on Route 46

Fort Lee police arrested two men Thursday in connection with an alleged marijuana sale on Route 46 in Fort Lee, authorities said.

According to police, Anthony K. Fuentes, 20, and Luis A. Diaz, 24, both of Hazleton, Pennsylvania, were arrested and charged with possession of marijuana with intent to distribute and possession of drug paraphernalia.

At approximately 1 a.m., Fort Lee Emergency Services Unit Police Officer Jay Makroulakis and Patrol Officer Anthony Bozzetti stopped a Nissan Rogue with Pennsylvania plates as it pulled out of the BP Gas Station on Route 46 south, police said. The vehicle was also stopped for several other motor vehicle violations observed by the officers.

Police report that both men offered conflicting stories regarding where they were coming from and where they were going when questioned by the officers. During the stop the officers also observed numerous air fresheners, several vent fresheners, open bottles of perfume and a spray can of Febreeze, police said. Officers are trained to recognize this tactic as used to cover the scent of narcotics.

Fort Lee Police K-9 Officer Richard Hernandez, along with his partner K-9 Greener, was called to the scene to assist. Police said that Fuentes agreed to a search of the vehicle after K-9 Greener gave a positive alert to the presence of a Controlled Dangerous Substance.

According to police, the officers discovered approximately 8 pounds of marijuana inside the passenger compartment of the vehicle.

Fuentes and Diaz were arrested and charged with possession of marijuana with the intent to distribute and possession of drug paraphernalia. In addition to those charges, they were also given five motor vehicle summonses, police said. 

Fuentes and Diaz were each arraigned on $100,000 bail with no 10 percent option and were transported to the Bergen County Jail. 

Chief Keith Bendul praised the work of these officers and said, "These officers prevented 8 pounds of marijuana with an approximate value of $32,000 from being sold to individual users, as well as our youth."

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