A 19-year-old Summerfield man, originally stopped for not having a license plate light, was arrested after a Marion County sheriff’s deputy found more than 30 grams of marijuana hidden in his vehicle.
Jay Bharat Patel, of 26726 SE 92nd Ave., was pulled over around 9 p.m. Tuesday along the 16400 block of Southeast 83rd Avenue. After the deputy detected the odor of marijuana coming from the vehicle, he had Patel step out and asked him when the last time marijuana was in the vehicle. Patel said it was two days ago and that there was no marijuana – just “crumbs” – currently in the car.
The deputy searched the vehicle, where upon entering the trunk he noticed a gap in the flooring. He moved a piece of wood and saw a clear plastic bag and an orange plastic bottle, both filled with a green leafy substance that field tested positive for marijuana. Also recovered was a grinder containing marijuana residue. The total weight of the marijuana was 30.5 grams.
Patel was charged with possession of over 20 grams of marijuana and possession of drug equipment. He was taken to the Marion County Jail, where he was released Wednesday on $3,000 bond. No court date was scheduled.
