A West Hartford resident was stopped on I-84 in New York State after committing multiple traffic violations, police said.

By Ronni Newton

A deputy with the Putnam County (New York) Sheriff’s Office Office initiated a traffic stop on I-84 early Saturday morning, and following a search of the vehicle arrested a West Hartford woman and seized approximately 51 pounds of cannabis, according to a press release.

Reynalda G. Sierra Mejia, 35, of West Hartford, was driving a black GMC SUV on I-84 eastbound when she was instructed to pull over by Deputy Victoria Crimmins at approximately 2:57 a.m. on July 25 in the Town of Southeast, the release states, after being observed committing multiple traffic violations. Southeast is just west of Danbury, CT, and east of Brewster, NY.

Crimmins, who was on a routine patrol, “observed signs indicating that Sierra Mejia may have been operating the vehicle while impaired by drugs,” according to the release.

Sergeant Shane Rossiter also responded to the scene to assist, and a search of the vehicle yielded the discovery of approximately 51 pounds of cannabis, which was packaged in numerous vacuum-sealed packages, police said. A quantity of other material, suspected to be narcotics, was also recovered, and according to a field test was positive for ketamine.

Sierra Mejia was evaluated by a drug recognition expert at the Putnam County Correctional Facility, and charged with first-degree criminal possession of cannabis, which is a felony, along with seventh-degree criminal possession of a controlled substance and operating a motor vehicle while ability impaired by drugs. The latter charges are misdemeanors, according to the release.

She was also issued several Uniform Traffic Tickets.

Officials said Sierra Mejia was arraigned in the Town of Southeast Justice Court, and released on her own recognizance.

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