According to an affidavit published by The Smoking Gun, 37-year-old Joseph Zak told police that either they put it there, or that it was the wind’s fault.
The affidavit reads: “As the sedan was still in motion, I witnessed the driver making furtive movements, leaning over towards the centre console as attempting to discard an item out the passenger window.”
The report continues: “The Reno Motel is a known area for drug sells and prostitution, in the past officers have made numerous arrests for such activity.
“During our interaction with Zak I observed him being very confrontational and looking around the vehicle as if attempting to conceal another item and his physical appearance was observed having bloodshot eyes, glossy eyes and was slurring his words when answering questions.
“Due [to] the open container violation, he was removed from the sedan and detaining in handcuff for our safety. A search of his vehicle revealed, through my training, a glass round cylinder commonly used for smoking crack cocaine in the centre console.
“When asked if the bag that tested positive for cocaine belongs to the owner of the vehicle, he refused to speak. No other clear baggies were located inside the vehicle. “
He was then charged with a string of drug offences, including possession of a controlled substance as well as having drug paraphernalia in his vehicle.
After being booked into St Lucie County Jail, Zak will appear before a court for an arraignment hearing on 3 December.
