A Port St. Lucie man was arrested after an Oct. 28 traffic stop connected to a domestic disturbance investigation led to the seizure of nearly 9 pounds of marijuana, according to police. The driver, Samuel Torres, 27, faces charges of possession of marijuana with intent to sell, manufacture or deliver and possession of drug paraphernalia for retail sale.
Police said officers with the department's Neighborhood Policing Bureau were investigating a reported domestic disturbance when they located a vehicle connected to the case. They stopped the vehicle near Southwest Rice Avenue and Southwest Chartwell Street. Officers saw suspected marijuana in plain view inside the vehicle and requested assistance from the department's Special Investigations Unit.
Detectives later discovered about 9 pounds of marijuana, including vacuum-sealed packages and smaller individually packaged bags, police said. Investigators also recovered $1,450 in cash and found additional suspected marijuana throughout the vehicle. According to police, investigators determined that the marijuana had been packaged for distribution.
Police also seized the 2019 Kia Optima involved in the case under the Florida Contraband Forfeiture Act. The investigation remains ongoing.