A suspect was arraigned today on multiple drug charges following his arrest yesterday afternoon by Essex County sheriff’s detectives.
Sheriff Armando Fontoura stated that detectives from his department’s Bureau of Narcotics were conducting plainclothes quality of life operations in the area of Newark’s Spruce and Barclay streets on Tuesday when a 2016 Lincoln MKX illegally passed an unmarked police cruiser at a high rate of speed.
“The suspect vehicle then ran the red light at Somerset Street,” Sheriff Fontoura said. “Our BON detectives activated their overhead lights and siren and pulled the Lincoln over.”
As the sheriff’s officers approached the suspect vehicle they immediately detected the pungent odor of marijuana emanating from the car.
“In the rear passenger seat of the vehicle, our detectives observed an open black backpack that was filled with numerous vacuum sealed bags containing a green leafy substance,” Fontoura added. “In the vehicle’s center console cup-holder there was a zip-lock bag filled with the same substance.”
The driver, Rashan Holloway, 33 of Vauxhall, was ordered out of the vehicle. Upon exiting, Holloway ran from the scene but was quickly captured after a brief foot chase.
“In all, over five pounds of marijuana with an estimated street value in excess of $25,000 was seized,” Fontoura noted.
Holloway was charged with possession of a controlled dangerous substance, possession of CDS, possession of CDS with intent to distribute, possession of CDS with intent to distribute within 1000 feet Louise A. Spencer Elementary School, possession of CDS with intent to distribute within 500 feet Douglass Park and resisting arrest.
Holloway was also issued motor vehicle summonses for improper passing, failure to observe a traffic signal and for having CDS in a motor vehicle.
At today’s arraignment, Holloway was ordered held at the county jail in lieu of $150,000 cash bond only.