A South Carolina man faces drug charges after an arrest at the Holland Tunnel on Tuesday, authorities said.
Port Authority police pulled a green 2005 Lincoln Town Car over around 6:40 p.m. when they saw it approaching the Holland Tunnel entrance with a cracked windshield, said Joe Pentangelo, a spokesperson for the Port Authority police.
Officers noted a strong odor consistent with the presence of marijuana. They requested license, registration and proof of insurance and the driver, Jamel Goode, 42, of Ridgeville, S.C., explained that he did not have a driver`s license only a South Carolina ID, Pentangelo said.
The passenger, Isaac Gerard Jr., 45, of Rochester, N.Y., volunteered to drive the vehicle. Goode indicated there might be a small amount of marijuana in the vehicle and police noticed that Gerard smelled like marijuana, Pentangelo said.
Police took a small amount of suspected marijuana from Gerard. A Port Authority K-9 arrived and a positive indication was given by the dog at the trunk of the vehicle. A search of the vehicle trunk compartment revealed a black duffel bag containing three tightly wrapped bags of suspected cocaine weighing individually 126 grams with a combined weight of 378 grams, Pentangelo said.
Both men were arrested. Goode faces charges of possession of a controlled dangerous substance, drug distribution and driving with a suspended license. Gerard faces possession of marijuana charges.