Police: Man Allegedly Rolled Pot Cigar in View of Officer

Sparta police arrested a 21-year-old Lake Hopatcong man Wednesday after an officer allegedly witnessed him roll marijuana into a cigar.

Officer Craig J. Grauerholz was in a police car stopped next to a silver Honda Civic at the Sparta Junction at 3:18 p.m. Wednesday, March 20 waiting to turn right onto Rt. 15 when he witnessed the passenger roll marijuana into a cigar, according to John P. Beebe of the Sparta Police Department.

Police stopped the car and asked the passenger about the cigar. The man denied any knowledge of the cigar or possession of any illegal substance, Beebe said.

Further investigation, police said, resulted in the seizure of:

• one small plastic bag with 50 grams or less of marijuana
• one empty plastic bag with marijuana residue inside
• one package of “Zig-Zag Wraps”
• a metallic grinder with marijuana residue inside 
• one cigar with marijuana inside, found stuffed between the console and the front passenger’s seat.

The man was arrested and transported to police headquarters for processing. He was charged with possession of marijuana and possession of drug paraphernalia. He was released several hours later on his own recognizance, Beebe said.

The 20-year-old female driver was not charged.