A Lakewood man was arrested in Jackson for narcotics, police say.

On Thursday April 7, at approximately 9:10 pm, Police Officers Michael Basso and Preston Kunz were on patrol on Brookwood Parkway when they conducted a motor vehicle license plate lookup on a 2018 Nissan and learned that the vehicle registration was expired. The vehicle’s driver then appeared to make multiple attempts to turn abruptly and avoid the marked patrol unit before quickly pulling to the curb on Indiana Avenue.

As officers made contact with the driver, it was observed that the passenger side window had been rolled down and a bag which appeared to have been discarded was located on the curb next to the passenger side of the vehicle. As the driver of the vehicle denied the bag was his, the officers took possession of it and observed that although the temperature was cool and it was currently raining, the bag was warm to the touch and was dry. Upon checking the bag, it was discovered to contain marijuana, a large bag of suspected heroin, several smaller bags containing suspected heroin, a scale, grinders and several dozen smaller bags consistent with drug packaging. A K-9 officer from Howell responded to the scene and after the K-9 alerted to the vehicle, a further search was conducted in which the officers recovered cash in excess of $800.00 from the vehicle. The driver was placed under arrest at this time and the vehicle was impounded.

Arrested: Juan Penaloza, age 32 of Lakewood, NJ. He was charged with possession of a controlled dangerous substance, possession of CDS with the intent to distribute and possession of drug paraphernalia along with multiple motor vehicle violations including operating an unregistered vehicle and possession of CDS while operating a motor vehicle. He was processed and released on summons pending a court appearance.