NORTHAMPTON — A Springfield man was charged with drug trafficking by state police Wednesday night after officers allegedly found crack cocaine in a car he was a passenger in during a traffic stop on I-91.
Peter Garrett, 32, was arrested and charged with trafficking of a class B drug (crack cocaine) and possession of a class A drug (heroin), according to a statement from the Massachusetts State Police.
Trooper Bryce Molnar from the state police barracks in Northampton was patrolling I-91 South around 6:10 p.m. when he saw a black Chevrolet Cruz with a New Hampshire registration abruptly swerve from the left lane to the right lane, closely missing another car traveling in the right lane, the statement said.
As the car was stopped by police near Exit 18, Molnar reportedly noticed a backseat passenger duck below the seat and away from view. Molnar went over to the passenger side and saw the person, later identified as Garrett, allegedly still leaning over with one hand near a black backpack by his feet.
Garrett was asked to leave the car so Molnar could search the area where he was seated, the statement said. Garrett was frisked and placed in Molnar’s cruiser.
During his search, Molnar allegedly found a white rock-like substance, believed to be crack cocaine, weighing approximately 75 grams. Approximately 1,000 wax baggies of suspected heroin and $2,490 in cash were reportedly found on Garrett’s person and inside the backpack, according to police.
Garrett was transported to the Northampton barracks for booking and a bail commissioner set bail at $50,000. He was transported to the Hampshire County Jail and House of Correction where he was held until his arraignment Thursday in Northampton District Court, according to police.
Michael Connors can be reached at mconnors@gazettenet.com.