Amherst teen faces drug-related charges after Pelham traffic stop

By SCOTT MERZBACH

Staff Writer

Published: 01-25-2024 11:08 AM

PELHAM — An Amherst teenager with around $10,000 worth of cannabis- and flavored nicotine-related products, including vape cartridges and edibles, is facing a series of drug-related charges following a traffic stop on Route 202 Thursday afternoon, according to Pelham police.

The 17-year-old boy was arrested at around 4:10 p.m., after the vehicle he was driving was pulled over on the state highway near Shutesbury Road, police said.

The juvenile is facing two counts of possession of a class C drug, two counts of possession with intent to distribute a class C drug, as well as charges of possession of a class D drug, possession with intent to distribute a class D drug, possession of an open container of marijuana in a vehicle, and unlicensed operation of a motor vehicle following a search of the vehicle, said Police Lt. Derick Lamoureux.

Items found in the vehicle, police said, included 8 ounces of plant-form marijuana, 100 THC concentrate vape cartridges, 51 500-800 mg THC edibles, about 400 foreign-manufactured flavored nicotine vapes, and around $5,000 in cash. Police estimated the street value of the items at around $10,000.

Police said that further investigation revealed that the products were intended for sale to high school students and young adults throughout the region who otherwise can’t legally purchase marijuana and flavored nicotine.

This marks the second arrest this month on Route 202 of what Pelham police describe as a juvenile drug courier.

The first, on the evening of Jan. 3, led to the arrest of a Springfield teenager who had a backpack, located in the back passenger area of his vehicle, containing multiple baggies of heroin.

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