Big Drug Bust on I-78

A New York woman has been arrested for marijuana possession after New Jersey State Troopers responding to a serious crash on Interstate 78 in Hunterdon County found  $114,000 worth of the drug on the grassy median which had flown out the window of the vehicle.Forty-eight-year-old Paulette Murray of Brooklyn was driving a 2002 white Mercury Mountaineer on I-78 this afternoon when she lost control and ran off the roadway into the center median and struck a guardrail.  Murray suffered serious injuries and was airlifted to St. Luke's hospital in Bethlehem, Pennsylvania.  The front seat passenger, 58-year-old Pauline Douglas-Dawkins of Cambria Heights, New York was treated for minor injuries at the scene.

During the investigation, troopers saw Douglas-Dawkins attempting to cover a damaged cardboard box with a blanket.  In the box, authorities discovered a large package of marijuana with fabric softener used to mask the smell. Upon searching the vehicle, additional packages of marijuana were found.  In total, 57 pounds were seized which has an estimated street value of $114,000.

Douglas-Dawkins was charged with Possession of Marijuana, Possession with Intent to Distribute and Possession of Drug Paraphernalia.  Murray, who remains hospitalized, will be charged at a later date.