The Mountainside Police Department announced the arrest of three people for weapons and drug possession during a motor vehicle stop.
According to police, on February 19, at approximately 5:28 pm Corporal Jeffery Stinner observed a 2004 Audi traveling west on Route 22 making unsafe lane changes with illegal window tint applied. A computer check of the vehicle license plate indicated the owner of the vehicle to have a suspended driver's license.
Police said that upon signaling the vehicle to stop and approaching the driver who would only lower the window a small amount, Corporal Stinner detected the odor of raw marijuana.
Further investigation and a search of the vehicle revealed a loaded .380 handgun in the center console of the vehicle accessible to all occupants.
In addition, a second illegal weapon, A 9-millimeter handgun loaded with hollow-point bullets was found directly behind the armrest, police said.
Additional items recovered during the search include a bag believed to contain marijuana, a small amount of Ecstasy, and drug paraphernalia.
A computer check of the .380 handgun determined it to be stolen from Wilson N.C.
According to police, all three occupants of the vehicle were placed under arrest and transported to the Union County Jail for a detention hearing after being charged with the following:
- Possession of Marijuana under 50 grams
- Possession of Drug Paraphernalia
- Possession of Ecstasy
- Two counts of Unlawful Possession of Firearm
- Possession of Hollow Point Bullets
- Receiving Stolen Property
Several motor vehicle summonses were issued to the vehicle operator who has been charged with First Degree Unlawful Possession of a Weapon in addition to the above-listed crimes