Fort Lee Detective Finds Loaded Shotgun During Traffic Stop, Police Say

A North Carolina man faces charges after a Fort Lee police detective discovered a loaded shotgun during a traffic stop, authorities said Thursday.

Detective T.J. Cullen, of Fort Lee’s anti-crime unit, noticed a mini-van driving on Route 4 east with heavily-tinted windows shortly before noon Tuesday, according to police. Cullen pulled over the driver, 28-year-old Jeremy Brewton, near the George Washington Bridge upper level tolls after a computer check showed the North Carolina registration was suspended.

During the stop, Cullen smelled marijuana coming from the van’s passenger compartment, police said. After getting consent to search the van, the detective found a 12-gauge Mossberg shotgun loaded with two slugs, according to authorities.

Police also said they found marijuana in Brewton’s boots.

Brewton, of Charlotte, N.C., was charged with possession of drug paraphernalia, marijuana possession and possession of a loaded shotgun. He was released after posting $2,500 cash bail.