×

Traffic stop finds 4 pounds of drugs in car

Jessie M. Melendez

Failing to stop at a stop sign in the city of Dunkirk led to felony drug charges for three Dunkirk men Saturday night when more than four pounds of marijuana were found in plain view.

Dunkirk Police report a patrol officer observed a vehicle fail to stop at the intersection of West 5th and Swan streets. The driver was identified as 33-year-old Jessie M. Melendez.

At that time the officer could clearly see high-quality marijuana packaged in plastic bags on the floor in the back of the vehicle.

Melendez and his two passengers, Jonathan R. Rodriguez, 31, and Luis A. Sanchez, 34, were charged in conjunction with the seizure of more than four pounds of marijuana with an approximate street value of $8,000 and a significant amount of U.S. currency.

All three were charged with second-degree criminal possession of marijuana, a Class D felony. In addition, Melendez was charged with third-degree aggravated unlicensed operation, failure to stop at a stop sign and unsafe tires.

Jonathan R. Rodriguez

All were arraigned in Dunkirk City Court before Judge Kuzdale Sunday. Melendez was held without bail, Rodriguez was issued bail of $10,000/$20,000 property, Sanchez was issued bail of $7,500/$15,000 property and they were transported to the Chautauqua County Jail.

Luis A. Sanchez

Newsletter

Today's breaking news and more in your inbox

I'm interested in (please check all that apply)
Are you a paying subscriber to the newspaper? *
   

COMMENTS

[vivafbcomment]

Starting at $4.62/week.

Subscribe Today