A Bushkill Township man went to jail after a witness allegedly saw him exchange cash for drugs outside a Mauch Chunk Street home.
Charged is Vincent James Morrissey, 24, of the 300 block of West Mountain Road.
Nazareth police were called at 8:25 p.m. Tuesday to the 100 block of Mauch Chunk Street for a possible drug deal. A witness reported seeing a male described as white, about 200 pounds with short brown hair and wearing a grey sweatshirt get into a silver Honda carrying a backpack.
The witness said he gave the driver of the Honda cash and placed two plastic bags with a green substance into the backpack. The man then got out of the Honda, placed the backpack in the trunk of a Nissan Maxima parked across street and entered a Mauch Chunk Street home.
An officer located Morrissey, who matched the description of the man provided by a witness. Morrissey did not confirm or deny illegal substances were inside the Nissan, but didn't give the officer permission to search his vehicle, according to police.
The officer then called for a police dog. The dog provided evidence of possible drugs in the trunk of the Nissan, police said.
The officer then searched the trunk and seized two bags of marijuana inside the backpack. The marijuana totaled a half-pound, court records indicate.
Morrissey is charged with possession of a controlled substance with intent to deliver, possession of a controlled substance, possession of a small amount of marijuana and possession of drug paraphernalia.
He was arraigned Wednesday before District Judge James Narlesky, who set bail at $15,000. The judge ordered Morrissey to undergo Pretrial Services and submit to random drug and alcohol testing. The judge allowed 10 percent of $15,000 bail if Pretrial Services approved it.
In lieu of bail, Morrissey was taken to Northampton County Prison. Online records show he has since posted bail.
Pamela Sroka-Holzmann may be reached at pholzmann@lehighvalleylive.com. Follow her on Twitter @pamholzmann. Find lehighvalleylive.com on Facebook.