Four Arrested After Police Seize More Than a Pound of Marijuana

Four Princeton residents were arrested on March 23 after Princeton Township Police approached a vehicle in Hilltop Park and discovered a pound of raw marijuana.

Juan Cardona, 21, of Clay Street; Juan Vazquez-Maldonado, 20, of Mulberry Row; Nieme Banks, 19, of Clay Street and a 17-year-old Princeton Township female were charged with possession of more a pound of raw marijuana, intent to distribute and other drug charges on March 23, according to police.

Townshiip Police Sgt. Michael Cifelli said on Tuesday that information about the arrest was not released for more than a month due to coordination with the Mercer County Proscecutor's Office and an unnamed federal agency. 

Princeton Township police said around 12:30 p.m., Sgt. Geoff Maurer approached a car parked at Hilltop Park after he smelled marijuana coming from the car. 

The car, a 2010 Toyota Corolla, was impounded and towed, and a search warrant was obtained. During the subsequent search, police say they found more than a pound of raw marijuana was located inside. A digital scale, a marijuana grinder and a large quantity of plastic bags also were seized, police said.

The four occupants of the car were charged with possession of a controlled dangerous substance with intent to distribute within 500 feet of public housing and a township park, possession of over 50 grams of marijuana, manufacturing, distributing and dispensing a CDS and possession of drug paraphernalia.

Bail for Banks and Vazquez-Maldonado was set at $25,000 cash; bail for Cardona was set at $35,000 cash and all three were transported to the Mercer County Detention Center in Hopewell. The car was turned over to the Mercer County Prosecutor’s Office for possible forfeiture proceedings.