A Bucks County man who was in the wrong place at the wrong time has now been charged with serious drug crimes after police reported that they found a half-pound of marijuana in the trunk of the man's vehicle.

The marijuana was discovered after police stopped the 25-year-old man from Pipersville in his vehicle, believing that the vehicle fit the description of another car that was seen fleeing the scene of a possible burglary.

According to the Bridgeport Police Department's report of the incident, police searched the man after stopping his vehicle. During the search, a small amount of hashish was allegedly discovered in the man's pocket.

Prior to conducting the traffic stop on Dec. 12, police were responding to a call about a possible burglary at a resident's house. Witnesses said that a silver-color Honda was seen fleeing the house after three men ran from the house and got into the vehicle.

When police saw a vehicle in the area that fit the description, they conducted a traffic stop. Police reported that they searched the Bucks County man after they detected a strong odor of marijuana when they approached the vehicle.

Upon discovering the substance that was believed to be hashish on the man, his vehicle was impounded and police obtained a warrant to search the rest of the vehicle. After police obtained the search warrant, police found a sealed plastic bag containing a substance that was believed to be marijuana.

The Bucks County man now faces charges for drug trafficking and drug possession. He was released from Montgomery County Prison on Dec. 15 after posting 10 percent of his bail.

Drug trafficking charges are serious allegations. If an individual is convicted of drug trafficking in Pennsylvania, the state could seize one's home, cash and vehicles. The state may then sell one's property in order to conduct further investigations. Because a drug trafficking conviction can result in serious consequences, Bucks County residents may be in great need of an attorney in order to make sure that their rights and property are being defended properly and aggressively.

Source: The Times Herald, "Bucks County man arrested with half-pound of marijuana in Bridgeport," Keith Phucas, Dec. 17, 2011