By Gayla Cawley
LYNN — A traffic stop led to a cocaine trafficking arrest on Tuesday.
An undercover Lynn police officer at Boston and Ashland streets saw a car pull over, followed by a man in his 20s jump in the passenger side. The car then did a U-turn and went about 100 feet down the road to Tedeschi Food Shops. At that point, the passenger exited the car and walked toward Myrtle Street, Lynn Police Lt. Rick Donnelly said.
The vehicle raced out of the parking lot and was pulled over by police. The driver, Jasmani Marinez, 27, of Boston, was nervous and was asked to step out of his car, police said. During a search of the vehicle, an officer found a sandwich bag with several large, plastic twists of white powder, believed to be cocaine. There was also some marijuana, Donnelly said.
Marinez was arrested and charged with cocaine trafficking and speeding. He then gave police some drugs he had in his pants pocket. Between the car and his pocket, officers seized 68.8 grams of cocaine, valued at about $5,500, about 8 grams of marijuana, $94 in cash and an iPhone, Donnelly said.
Gayla Cawley can be reached at [email protected]. Follow her on Twitter @GaylaCawley.