Blotter: Traffic Stop Leads to Marijuana Discovery
The following information has been provided by the Marple Police Department. Any arrests or charges mentioned do not indicate guilt or conviction.
BROOMALL–On Nov. 29 at approximately 7:40 p.m., Marple police observed a Pontiac Grand Prix fail to stop at a stop sign westbound on Harding Avenue at Sproul Road.
Police pulled over the vehicle and it was discovered the driver was driving on a suspended license. While waiting for the tow truck to arrive, police advised the man to take any valuables from the vehicle.
A back-up officer also responded to the scene who observed the man place a padded bag in his pocket. According to the report, the padded bag is often seen used to carrying a pipe used for smoking marijuana.
When the driver exited the vehicle, the back-up officer asked for the pipe in which the man obliged. When the officer asked the driver if there was any marijuana inside the vehicle, the man said “no,” according to the report.
While doing a quick inventory of the vehicle, police located a Tiffany & Co. jewelry box in the center console of the vehicle. Inside the box, police located a small amount of what appeared to be and smelled like marijuana.
When police asked the driver if there was any more marijuana inside the car, the man replied, “in the trunk.” Police located a white plastic container with what appeared to be and smelled like marijuana in the trunk of the car.
JDBroomall
11:40 am on Thursday, December 6, 2012
Sounds like the guy now has a great defense to fight the charges based on an unlawful vehicle search. Seeing a "padded bag" doesn't justify a search and an inventory of vehicle doesn't allow a search of containers and compartments.
Get these people off the street but follow proper protocol or the cases won't stick.
jimmy wildwood
12:13 pm on Sunday, December 9, 2012
Why wouldn't an inventory search allow opening containers and compartments?? An inventory search prior to being towed is to note items of value and protect against claims of theft later, such as a missing rolex (in the center console) or the $1000 golf clubs (in the trunk). He should drop to his knees and be grateful he wasn't in the city of brotherly, where he'd be missing all that and pay $300 to get his car back from PPA....someday
JDBroomall
1:05 pm on Monday, December 10, 2012
It really doesn't matter, since the driver consented to it all. He is lucky he wasn't in Philly. The PPD probably would've shot him
Stel
11:10 am on Monday, February 11, 2013
What an absolute waste of time and resources. It is past time to end the insane, unjust, and archaic prohibition of marijuana and adopt a policy similar to that of alcohol. The prohibition of marijuana causes far more harm than marijuana ever could. Legalize and regulate now at let law enforcement focus on true crime. For more info visit:
The Marijuana Policy Project at http://www.mpp.org/
Law Enforcement Against Prohibition at http://www.leap.cc/ ("Cops say legalize")
The National Organization to Reform Marijuana Laws at http://norml.org/
btw JD, marijuana has been effectively decriminalized in Philadelphia for possession of under 1 ounce.