The driver was pulled over when police spotted his rejected inspection sticker and after his car failed to keep in the lane, authorities said
HOWELL -- Howell police seized 80 decks of heroin stamped "Batman v Superman" when they stopped two men on Route 9, authorities said Friday.
Detective Sgt. Christian Antunez said the vehicle stop occurred around 12:35 p.m. on Wednesday when Lt. Thomas Rizzo saw a 2006 Nissan Altima with a rejected inspection sticker fail to stay in its lane on Route 9 south.
He said that when Rizzo pulled the vehicle over by Estelle Lane, he detected the odor of marijuana coming from the car. The driver, Dajhamal Craighead, 20, of Toms River, turned over marijuana to Rizzo and police found less than 50 grams of marijuana hidden in the carpet lining of the trunk, Antunez said.
When Craighead was arrested, police found on him 80 wax folds of heroin stamped "Batman v. Superman," Antunez said.
He said Rizzo also learned that the passenger, Markee Paseler, 20, of Lakewood, who was also arrested, had a warrant issued against him from Wall Township municipal court.
In the car, police found two plastic baby bottles containing the "promethazine" mixture commonly referred to as "lean," which is the antihistamine drug mixed with a beverage, Antunez said.
Craighead had fabric softeners placed throughout the car in an attempt to mask the odor of pot, he said.
Craighead and Paseler were each charged with drug possession, possession with intent to distribute, possession of under 50 grams of marijuana and possession of drug paraphernalia.
Antunez said Craighead was also issued two motor vehicle citations for failure to inspect and failure to maintain a lane.
They were being held in the Monmouth County jail in Freehold in lieu of $22,000 bail.
MaryAnn Spoto may be reached at mspoto@njadvancemedia.com. Follow her on Twitter @MaryAnnSpoto. Find NJ.com on Facebook.