Police: ‘Cloud of smoke’ gets 5 young adults busted for smoking weed in Hoboken

Five young adults were busted with smoking weed in Hoboken, with the driver also charged with driving while intoxicated, after a “cloud of smoke” came from the driver’s side of the vehicle, police said. 

By John Heinis/Hudson County View

Manuel Miranda, 19, Bayonne, was charged with use of a controlled dangerous substance (marijuana), possession of CDS, being under the influence, possession of CDs within 1,000 feet if a school, possession of CDS within 500 feet public property, possession of CDS paraphernalia and possession of CDS with intent to distribute, according to Police Det. Lt. Edgardo Cruz.

Additionally, Kerolos Slem, 19, of Jersey City, was charged with possession of CDS with intent to distribute, use of CDS, possession of CDS marijuana, being under the influence, possession of CDS within 1,000 feet of school, possession of CDS within 500 feet public park and possession of CDS paraphernalia, officials said.

Meanwhile, Ahmad Bereka, 20, of Jersey City, was charged with driving while intoxicated, possession of CDS, being under the influence of CDS, possession of CDS paraphernalia, driving with a suspended license, DWI in School zone and refusal to submit to a breathalyzer, authorities said.

Furthermore, Zachary Nemiri, 21, and Yessine Dridi, 19, both of Bayonne, were each charged with possession of CDS paraphernalia, being under the influence and possession of CDS (marijuana), officials said.

Yesterday around 6:06 p.m., while on patrol, Officers Anthony Olivera and Jonathan Rodriguez observed a vehicle illegally parked in the area of 9th Street and Park Avenue. A random check of the registration found the owner to have a suspended license, police said.

Once out of the area, Olivera conducted a motor vehicle stop in the area of 11th Street and Park Avenue. As Olivera and Rodriguez approached, they observed a total of 5 occupants inside.

The driver then lowered the window and a cloud of smoke, along with a strong odor of burnt marijuana, came from inside the vehicle. The driver provided Olivera with his credentials and it was noted that his eyes were bloodshot and his speech was slurred, authorities said.

The occupants were asked to step out of the vehicle and a cigarette of suspected marijuana was found lit inside the vehicle. At this point, Officer Luke Zezsotarski, who is a Drug Recognition Expert, arrived to back up the officers, officials said.

He later confirmed the driver, Bereka, to be under the influence of CDS. That driver was placed under arrest and all other passengers were searched as well. Slem was found to be in possession of a digital scale commonly used to weigh CDS, police said.

He was also found to have in his possession a sandwich type bag with suspected marijuana and a cylinder type container also with suspected marijuana. Additionally, Miranda was found to have over $800 in us currency believed to be proceeds of CDS sales, authorities said.

Slem and Bereka were processed and remanded to the Hudson County Rehabilitation Center, while Miranda, Nemiri and Dridi were issued summonses for their offenses and released with a court date to appear, officials said.

Then at headquarters Bereka refused to provide a breath sample and was subsequently charged with refusal, police said.