GWB Guard Charged With Smoking Pot On Duty

Police from the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey have charged a private security guard at the George Washington Bridge with smoking marijuana on duty.

The arrest occurred Wednesday afternoon.

Police say a Port Authority officer conducting routine guard post inspections smelled marijuana in a security booth at one of the bridge's towers.

Sami Omar, a North Bergen resident, denied smoking marijuana. A search of the post allegedly found a marijuana cigarette and a bag of marijuana.

Omar was charged with possession of marijuana and drug paraphernalia and with being under the influence of a controlled dangerous substance. He works for FJC Security, which employs several hundred security guards at the New York area's bridges, tunnels and airports.

It was not known if Omar had retained an attorney.

(Copyright 2013 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)