Port St. Lucie police: Traffic stop leads to nearly 9 pounds of marijuana seizure

MARTIN COUNTY, Fla. (CBS12) — A traffic stop in Port St. Lucie led to the seizure of nearly 9 pounds of marijuana and $1,450 in cash, police said.

The investigation began Oct. 28 after officers with the Port St. Lucie Police Department’s Neighborhood Policing Bureau found a vehicle connected to a reported domestic disturbance. Officers stopped the vehicle near Southwest Rice Avenue and Southwest Chartwell Street.

Police said officers saw suspected marijuana inside the vehicle and called in the department’s Special Investigations Unit. Detectives found multiple vacuum-sealed and individually packaged bags, as well as loose suspected marijuana in the seats and floorboard. Investigators said the marijuana had been packaged for distribution.

The driver, Samuel Torres, 27, of Port St. Lucie, was arrested and charged with possession of marijuana with intent to sell, manufacture or deliver, and possession of drug paraphernalia for retail sale, police said.

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The 2019 Kia Optima was also seized under the Florida Contraband Forfeiture Act.