Police said the smell of marijuana coming from the car interior gave them probable cause to search the car.
BETHLEHEM, NY – A 26-year-old Amherst man and a friend who were en route to a Phish concert in Watkins Glen, N.Y. were arrested on drug charges Friday night after state police smelled marijuana in their car during a traffic stop on the New York State Thruway, police said.
Police arrested driver Michael D. Topper, 26, of West Bridgewater and Geoffrey A. Favakeh, 26, of Amherst after finding each in possession of drugs. Police said the odor of marijuana coming from the vehicle gave them probable cause to search the vehicle.
Their car was stopped after a trooper spotted it driving erratically and weaving in and out of lanes, police said.
Topper was found in possession of more than 190 grams of psilocybin mushrooms, 1 gram of ecstasy, and 34 grams of marijuana.
Favakeh was found by-prescription medication that had not been prescribed to him and a small amount of marijuana. He was also found with $1,200.
Police suspect that Topper was planning to sell drugs at the concert.
Topper was charged with felony possession of a controlled substance in the 2nd, 3rd and 4th Degrees, and misdemeanor possession of marijuana in the 5th Degree. He was being held in lieu of $50,000 bond or $25,000 cash. He was due to be arraigned Tuesday in Bethlehem Court but court information was not available.
Favakeh was charged with misdemeanor possession of a controlled substance and unlawful possession of marijuana. He posted $350 bail and is due back in Bethlehem Court on July 19.