Cranford police bust 4 in traffic stop with drugs and loaded gun near Garden State Parkway
Cranford, NJ — A routine traffic stop near the Garden State Parkway turned into a felony arrest scene last Wednesday night after Cranford officers discovered distribution-level marijuana and a loaded firearm inside a Nissan Altima occupied by four men.
At approximately 8:55 p.m. on November 26, officers pulled over a 2015 Nissan Altima on North Avenue for multiple motor vehicle violations. During the stop, Officer Nicolette Tufano initiated a search of the vehicle and uncovered a large quantity of marijuana packaged for distribution, along with a loaded handgun containing 16 rounds of ammunition.
All four occupants of the vehicle were taken into custody without incident.
The driver, Amir Rouland, 21, of Newark, NJ, now faces a string of serious charges, including second-degree possession of a firearm, fourth-degree possession of prohibited weapons, second-degree possession of a firearm during a controlled dangerous substance offense, and possession of a defaced firearm. He also faces third-degree and fourth-degree marijuana possession and distribution charges.
The three passengers, identified as Yazir Coley, 20, and Kashir Williams, 20, both of Newark, NJ, and Jovan Thomas, 22, of Brooklyn, NY, were each charged with fourth-degree possession of marijuana and third-degree possession with intent to distribute.
Rouland was booked into the Union County Jail pending a detention hearing. Coley, Williams, and Thomas were released on summonses and are expected to appear in Union County Superior Court at a later date.
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Key Points
- Police discovered distribution-level marijuana and a loaded firearm during a traffic stop on Nov. 26
- Driver Amir Rouland faces multiple firearm and drug charges; three others face marijuana-related charges
- The stop took place near the Garden State Parkway in Cranford, NJ