Warren Man Allegedly Caught With $5,500 Worth of Pot

A 21-year-old Warren man was caught with about 1 pound of marijuana worth $5,500 in a township hotel parking lot Wednesday night, the Somerset County Prosecutor's Office said.

Colin Heinle, 21, of Roberts Road, was charged with third-degree possession of marijuana with intent to distribute.

Authorities received a tip that a man named "Colin" would be driving a black Hyundai with a large quantity of marijuana near a Warren hotel, Somerset County Prosecutor Geoffrey D. Soriano, Somerset County Prosecutor’s Office Chief of Detectives Stuart A. Buckman and Warren Township Chief of Police Russell Leffert said.  

The Prosecutor's Office Organized Crime and Narcotics Task Force detectives and Warren Township Police set up surveillance in the area of the hotel. At about 9:30 p.m., authorities spotted a black Hyundai pull into the hotel's rear lot, the prosecutor's office said.

Police stopped the vehicle, and identified Heinle as the driver, according to the prosecutor's office. He was told of the narcotics investigation, and police said he voluntarily authorized a search of the car, the prosecutor's office said.

Detectives said they found about 1 pound of marijuana in the car, with a street value of $5,500.

Heinle was taken to the Somerset County Jail to be held until a bail hearing, the prosecutor's office said.

If found guilty of the charge, Heinle could face up to 10 years in prison.