City man faces drug charges after motor vehicle stop

LONG BRANCH - A city man was arrested last week after police found drugs in his car following a motor vehicle stop.

Police arrested and charged Ryan M. Hart, 20, Nov. 12 with possession of under 50 grams of marijuana, possession of crack cocaine, possession of drug paraphernalia and possession with intent to distribute within 500 feet of a public park, according to police reports.

Hart was additionally charged with operating a motor vehicle in possession of a controlled dangerous substance and operating an unregistered vehicle, according to reports.

Long Branch Police Officer Joshua Bard was on patrol in the area of Rockwell and Atlantic avenues at approximately 8:45 p.m. Nov. 12 when he observed a vehicle being operated without a front license plate, according to reports.

Bard conducted a motor vehicle stop and the driver was identified as Hart, according to reports.

As Bard spoke with Hart he smelled the odor of marijuana emanating from within the vehicle, according to reports, which state that marijuana and crack cocaine were found in the car.

Two cell phones were also located in the car, according to reports.

Police also found Hart to be in possession of a black digital scale and another cell phone, according to reports.

The 2003 Nissan Altima that Hart was driving was seized by police pending an asset forfeiture hearing, according to reports.