65 Pounds of Pot Found in Couple's Trunk, Cops Say

A couple from Massachusetts is being held on $200,000 bail after Mahwah Police allegedly found about 65 pounds of marijuana wrapped in shrink wrap and duct tape hidden in the trunk of their car, Chief Jim Batelli said in a release this weekend.

According to Batelli, Jawara McIntosh, 33, and Carlotta Leslie, 23, both of Dorchester, Mass., were originally pulled over on Route 17 North Friday night when police noticed their Nissan Maxima driving recklessly and cutting off other drivers.

Police received consent to search the vehicle after seeing several open containers of alcohol in the car, talking to McIntosh and Leslie, and believing they were under the influence of drugs, Batelli said.

Cops found two large pieces of luggage in the trunk that smelled like “raw marijuana,” Batelli said.

Inside the suitcases, cops found the three wrapped bundles of marijuana, which combined weighed about 65 pounds, police said.

McIntosh and Leslie, who identified themselves as boyfriend and girlfriend, denied knowing the drugs were in the car, Batelli said. The car had been rented in Massachusetts by a third party, Batelli said.

McIntosh was charged with various possession charges, driving under the influence, driving with a suspended license, being under the influence of a controlled dangerous substance and various motor vehicle charges, Batelli said.

Leslie was charged with various possession charges, Batelli said.

Both were arrested and committed to the Bergen County Jail on $200,000 bail each, Batelli said.

Batelli said both have prior arrest records—McIntosh on disorderly persons, assault, resisting arrest, and promoting prostitution charges, and Leslie on resisting arrest, assault on a police officer, assault, and prostitution charges.

Police said they are continuing to investigate the incident.

Mahwah Police Officer David Vega conducted the motor vehicle stop, and Officers Richard Albro and Timathy Letavish assisted in the arrest.

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