Man gets drug distribution charge

SAYREVILLE - Police officers made a drug arrest recently after spotting a suspicious vehicle in a nightclub parking lot.

Police charged Edgar A. Perez, 35, of South Amboy, with possession of marijuana, possession with intent to distribute marijuana and possession of marijuana in a motor vehicle in a parking lot near Victory Bridge on Route 35 at 7:37 p.m. Feb. 20.

Officers Jason Mader and David Wilkins were on patrol in plainclothes when they noticed that a black 2004 Honda Accord was away from other cars in the corner of the parking lot. The officers exited their unmarked patrol vehicle and approached the two occupants of the suspicious vehicle.

As the patrolmen displayed their badges, Wilkins reportedly detected the odor of marijuana from the passenger side where he was standing. The police then advised the occupants to step out of the vehicle, andMader observed a hand-rolled cigarette on the floorboard of the driver's side of the vehicle.

Police searched Perez and allegedly found three plastic bags in his jacket pocket, as well $993 cash. Mader wrote in his incident report that the quantity and packaging of marijuana, along with the amount and denomination of cash, were consistent with narcotics sales and distribution.

Police transported Perez to the Middlesex County Adult Correction Center, North Brunswick, where his bail was set at $10,000.