A Beaver Meadows man has been charged after he was found to be in possession of a large amount of marijuana following a traffic stop in Weatherly.

According to the affidavit of probable cause filed by Patrolman Joshua Silfee of the Weatherly Borough Police Department in the case against Justin Samler:

At 10:10 p.m. Jan. 2, Silfee responded to assist on a traffic stop on South Lehigh Gorge Drive for a vehicle code violation that occurred on East Main Street in Weatherly.

The black Chevrolet pickup had been traveling 62 mph in a 35 mph zone, had a broken passenger side mirror and an expired Pennsylvania state inspection sticker.

Samler, the driver, has a suspended driver’s license.

While speaking with Samler, 28, Silfee saw a blunt wrap containing marijuana and there was a strong odor of marijuana in the area of the driver’s compartment along with a torch type lighter.

Silfee also suspected Samler was driving under the influence of a controlled substance due to his speech, red blood shot eyes and dilated pupils.

As Samler got out of the vehicle, Silfee saw loose remnants of marijuana (commonly known as shake) scattered across the floor of the driver’s side compartment of the vehicle.

Samler was handcuffed and detained, at which time he was searched and placed in the back of the marked patrol unit. During the search, two pocket knives and a large amount of cash were taken off Samler, who said he won the cash gambling on a skill machine.

At the police station Samler was disoriented and was confused on where he was and what time it was. Samler admitted that he smoked a little bit of weed before he was stopped.

During an inventory search of Samler’s vehicle, police saw a large amount of tools and electronics scattered inside the cab of the vehicle, and also located an unlabeled prescription container with what appeared to be pills, as well as a container with what appeared to be marijuana inside the front cab of the vehicle’s console.

A search warrant was obtained and police found a bag containing 57.06 grams of methamphetamine and multiple containers of marijuana. One container held 3.6 grams of marijuana; one bag was found containing 16.2 grams of marijuana, as well as one pre rolled blunt with marijuana.

A glass smoking pipe with residue was found in the truck along with four torch type lighters and an unopened package of nasal applicated narcan. Also found with the narcotics was a spring open assisted knife.

Samler faces charges of manufacture, delivery or possession with intent to manufacture or deliver a controlled substance; possession or distribution of a small amount of marijuana; possession of drug paraphernalia; prohibited offensive weapon; drivers required to be licensed; driving while operating privilege is suspended or revoked; operation of vehicle without an official certificate of inspection; operate or case to permit another person to operate with unsafe equipment.

He is currently incarcerated in the Carbon County Correctional Facility in lieu of $50,000 monetary bail, with formal arraignment scheduled at the district attorney’s office on March 19.