On April 14, 2011 at about 3:38 p.m., in the area of West Grant Avenue and Locust Street, Patrolman Kevin Florczak conducted a right turn onto Locust Street. A driver failed to signal a turn in violation of 39:4-126. A motor vehicle stop on the 200 block of Locust Street resulted in the discovery of a small red plastic bag containing a small amount of suspected marijuana. An investigation by Patrolman Florczak revealed the bag appeared to be partially chewed, resulting in the driver admitting he attempted to eat that bag while on the traffic stop but could not swallow the bag. The majority of the suspected marijuana was ingested and was destroyed; a small quantity was recovered and retained for evidence.
Also in his possession was a medium size clear bag with a red Apple logo containing four (4) smaller clear bags which are commonly used to package CDS.
The driver, Christopher Halpin, age 21 of Linden, was arrested and charged with 2C:28-6 (tampering with evidence); 2C:35-10(a)(4) (possession of marijuana); 2C:36-2 (possession of drug paraphernalia); 39:4-126 (failure to signal turn); and 39:4-49.1 (CDS in a motor vehicle).
Mr. Halpin was released pending Union County Superior Court appearance on April 25, 2011.