Woman arrested on NY highway after 51 pounds of marijuana found in car
By: Southeast, NY - A West Hartford woman was arrested early Saturday morning after a traffic stop on I-84 east in New York led to the discovery of about 51 pounds of marijuana in her vehicle.
A New York deputy was patrolling I-84 eastbound at around 2:57 a.m. when she saw an SUV make several traffic violations and initiated a stop, according to the Putnam County Sheriff’s Office.
During the investigation, deputies noticed the driver showed signs indicating the driver may have been operating the vehicle while impaired by drugs, officials said.
Following a search of the vehicle, sheriffs discovered a shocking amount of cannabis, about 51 pounds, contained in numerous vacuum-sealed packages.
Deputies also recovered a quantity of suspected narcotics that field-tested positive for ketamine.
Officials have identified the driver as 35-year-old Reynalda G. Sierra Mejia of West Hartford.
She was transported to the Putnam County Correctional Facility, where a Drug Recognition Expert conducted an evaluation.
Sierra Mejia is now facing the following charges:
* Criminal possession of cannabis (first-degree)
* Criminal possession of a controlled substance (seventh degree)
* Operating a motor vehicle while ability impaired by drugs
* Issued multiple traffic tickets
Sierra Mejia was arraigned in the Town of Southeast Justice Court and released on her own recognizance, the sheriff’s office said.