'Strong Odor of Marijuana' in Car Leads to Arrest of Naugatuck Man

Wolcott Police pulled a vehicle over on Wolcott Road at approximately 4:18 p.m. Monday, Jan. 11, due to its tinted windows and absent front marker plate.

“Upon approaching the vehicle, officers detected the strong odor of marijuana emanating from within the passenger compartment of the vehicle,” according to the Wolcott Police Department.

The operator of the car was identified as Jeffrey Lyden, 26, of 193 Bluebird Drive, Naugatuck.

“Officers also observed a residue of a green and brown leaf-like substance in the area of the shifter along the center console,” police said.

Lyden reportedly admitted to smoking marijuana, according to Wolcott police.

Upon searching the vehicle, officers said they located two plastic sandwich bags containing marijuana along with a digital scale and an open box of clear plastic sandwich bags used in connection with the packaging and sale of narcotics.

The marijuana weighed approximately two ounces.

Lyden has been arrested in the past for possession of drugs/marijuana, failure to appear, possession with intent to sell and evading responsibility, police said.

He was charged with the following:

• Possession of marijuana
• Possession of an illegal substance in a school zone
• Possession of drug paraphernalia
• Possession of marijuana with intent to sell

Lyden was released after posting a $25,000 bond and issued a Jan. 19 court date.