A Clinton Township police officer was following a car when the driver stopped and got out with his hands in the air, police said.
CLINTON TWP. -- Several people face marijuana distribution and other charges following an incident on the jug handle from Route 22 west to Route 621 on May 25 at 1:55 a.m.
An officer was following a 2016 Hyundai Sonata driven by Gregory Root, 47, of Kinzers, Pa., when Root reportedly stopped at the intersection, activated his hazard lights and got out of his car with his hands in the air.
Root went to the officer and asked how to get back to Route 78 west, adding that he had just picked a friend up from the other side of the George Washington Bridge, police said.
A backseat passenger reportedly opened up a rear door and began yelling back toward the officer, who called for backup and spoke with the occupants of the car, who allegedly appeared to be under the influence of a controlled dangerous substance, according to police.
A roadside investigation turned up 30 bags of heroin, over one pound of marijuana, a crack pipe, two vials of cocaine, a small amount of synthetic marijuana, seven hypodermic syringes, and packaging materials, police said.
Potent form of pot entering N.J. suburbs
Root was charged with possession of marijuana with intent to distribute, possession of a controlled dangerous substance, possession of drug paraphernalia and hindering apprehension and issued motor-vehicle summonses for driving while in possession of a controlled dangerous substance, obstructing traffic and failure to maintain a lane. He was released.
Omar Vasquez, 23, of Lancaster, Pa., who reportedly initially identified himself as Omar Rosa and told police he was 17, was found to be wanted out of Berks County, Pa., for a drug possession charge, police said.
He was charged with entering into New Jersey while a fugitive from justice, possession of marijuana with intent to distribute, possession of a controlled dangerous substance, being under the influence of a controlled dangerous substance and obstruction of justice. He was transported to the Somerset County Jail in Somerville with bail set at $50,000.
Ralph Villanueva, Jr., 30, of Ephrata, Pa., was charged with possession of marijuana with intent to distribute, possession of a controlled dangerous substance, possession of drug paraphernalia, possession of a hypodermic syringe, being under the influence of a controlled dangerous substance, and littering. He was later transported to the Somerset County Jail with bail set at $25,000 bail.
Andre Smith, 35, of Carlisle, Pa., who reportedly initially identified himself as "Raeeyem Hodge," was charged with possession of marijuana with intent to distribute, possession of a controlled dangerous substance, being under the influence of a controlled dangerous substance, and failure to wear a seatbelt. He was later transported to the Somerset County Jail with bail set at $25,000.
Sallie Graziano may be reached at sgraziano@njadvancemedia.com. Follow her on Twitter @SallieGraziano. Find NJ.com on Facebook.