State police arrest Merokean for marijuana possession

New York State Police arrested Ittai Azoulay, 26, of Alice Street in Merrick, and charged him with criminal possession of marijuana on Aug. 12.

Azoulay was pulled over by State Trooper Evan Dick on Thursday at 9:45 p.m. while driving eastbound on the Northern State Parkway near exit 29 after Dick observed Azoulay talking on a cell phone while driving in a gray Honda.

While interviewing Azoulay, Dick detected the odor of marijuana emanating from the vehicle. Azoulay said that he had a small amount of marijuana in his pocket, and that there was an additional amount in his trunk. According to police, Dick found about half an ounce of marijuana in the defendant's pocket and two ounces in the vehicle's trunk.

Anything over two ounces is considered criminal possession and an "A" misdemeanor.

Azoulay was arraigned in First District Court in Hempstead and released without bail. He is due back in court on Wednesday, Aug. 25, where he will reportedly plead not guilty.

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