Westport Traffic Stop Leads to Marijuana Seizure

WESTPORT — This morning at approximately 12:26 a.m., Officer Turner Ryan initiated a motor vehicle stop on Route 88 in the area of Briggs Road for a marked lanes violation.

The vehicle, a black 2005 Toyota Matrix, was being operated by 25-year-old Alissa Mercer of 901 Pleasant Street, Attleboro.

While approaching the vehicle from the passenger’s side, Officer Ryan was overwhelmed with the odor of unburnt marijuana. Mercer, the lone occupant, attempted to shield approximately 3/4 of a pound of high-grade marijuana and several bags of THC edibles. In addition to the seizure of the marijuana and edibles, Officer Ryan seized $2,132 in U.S. currency located near the marijuana.

Mercer was issued a Massachusetts uniform citation and will be summoned to court on the charge of possession with the intent to distribute a Class D drug.

The U.S. Attorney’s Office has previously issued a public safety warning after authorities intercepted a package of edibles. Although they noted that the candy did have a warning on it, they pointed out that its deceptive labels could cause confusion. An unaware child could come across a package and naively eat it without realizing the potency of the THC-infused product.

— Westport Police