Odor of marijuana from car stopped by police for speeding in Springfield leads to arrest of 31-year-old Edwin Martinez

Police seized cocaine and nearly $4,000 in cash from the suspect.

Edwin Martinez

SPRINGFIELD – Police said the distinctive odor of marijuana, wafting from a vehicle that officers pulled over early Sunday in the North End, lead to the arrest of a 31-year-old city man on cocaine and open container charges.

Sgt. John M. Delaney said police saw a maroon BMW traveling at a high rate of speed in heavy rain on Main Street at about 2 a.m.

After pulling the vehicle over at Main and Portland streets, police smelled burnt marijuana and asked the driver and his passenger to stop outside the car so they could search for drugs, Delaney, aide to Police Commissioner William J. Fitchet, said.

The driver, Edwin Martinez, 31, of 70 Temple St., then told police he had marijuana in his pocket which the officers found. They also found $2,000 in cash and two open containers in the vehicle.

Martinez was cited for possession of less than an ounce of marijuana.

A state police K-9 unit, called in to assist in searching the vehicle, found cocaine hidden in the front driver’s seat and an additional $1,800 in cash in the center console.

Martinez was charged with possession of cocaine, speeding and open container.