Essex County authorities arrested a Vauxhall NJ man who allegedly possessed a large quantity of pot while driving through Newark, NJ.

The suspect was behind the wheel of a 2016 Lincoln MKX and traveling along Somerset Street in Newark New Jersey when an Essex County Sheriff’s officer reportedly noticed him speeding and run through a red light. The police officer followed the suspect in an unmarked police cruiser and then initiated a traffic stop.

While talking to the suspect, the Essex County NJ cop reportedly smelled the odor of marijuana coming from the vehicle. The sheriff’s officer also reportedly spotted a bag filled with marijuana inside the car.

Essex County Sheriff’s officers subsequently searched the suspect’s vehicle and allegedly came across a backpack filled with several baggies of marijuana. Police also allegedly discovered illicit narcotics in the car’s center cup holder.

Newark officials later indicated that the marijuana weighed in excess of five pounds and has a total street value of more than $25,000.

The suspect, a 33-year-old Vauxhall man, allegedly tried to flee police prior to being arrested, but he was quickly subdued after a brief chase on foot.

The suspect now faces numerous criminal charges, including distribution of marijuana and simple possession of marijuana.

After being placed under arrest and processed, the suspect was remanded to the Essex County Correctional Facility in Newark, NJ. He was being held at the jail in lieu of $150K bail.

To learn more about this case, check out the NJ.com article, “Speeding Leads to $25K Pot Bust, Authorities Say.”