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A 53-year-old Asbury Park man and a 26-year-old Spring Lake woman were arrested during a routine traffic stop after police say they found a large amount of a substance believed to be heroin in the car, according to Allenhurst Police Capt. Mike Schneider.

Shortly after 10 p.m. Sunday night Patrolman Anthony Carafe stopped a vehicle in the township on an “equipment violation,” Schneider said.

During the stop, the female driver of the vehicle gave Carafa and his K-9, Bia, consent to search the vehicle. The search resulted in police locating 59 bags containing a substance they believe to be heroin, Schneider said.

The male passenger was taken into custody on charges of possession of a controlled dangerous substance, and possession of a controlled dangerous substance with intent to distribute, he said. The man also had an outstanding warrant out of Monmouth County Superior Court and was turned over to the custody of the Monmouth County Sheriff’s officers, Schneider said.

The female driver was charged with possession of a controlled dangerous substance and possession of drug paraphernalia [a hypodermic needle]. She was taken to Monmouth County Jail in lieu of $15,000 bail, Schneider said.

“This arrest is especially gratifying for the officers, due to the ongoing heroin problem in Monmouth and Ocean counties,” Schneider said. “Each time an arrest is made, and heroin is taken off the street, it is that much less to be distributed.”

The vehicle was impounded pending possible forfeiture proceedings, he said.

Sergeant James Rogers, Patrolman Scott Rapolla and officer Whitney Molinelli assisted in the arrest.

Police declined to release the name of the accused due to the nature of the incident.

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