Police: Man Smuggled Cocaine in Energy Drink Can on Landis Mill Rd.
Gregory Hanson, 36, of Easton faces several counts, including felony possession of a controlled substance, after police say they found cocaine in fake energy drink can during a DUI arrest.
A routine sobriety test in Upper Saucon turned out to be more than a DUI arrest after police say they found $3,925 in cash on the driver and more than 15 grams of cocaine hidden inside food and beverage containers in his car.
According to a criminal complaint, police pulled over a silver Toyota 4Runner after the vehicle failed to stay in the lane while turning onto Landis Mill Road from 378 South on Sept. 15.
While police interviewed the driver, identified as Gregory Hanson, 36, of Easton, they detected the odor of an alcoholic beverage inside Hanson's car. When Hanson failed a field sobriety test, he was taken into custody.
Police say Hanson had $3,925 in cash in his pocket when he was taken into custody.
While police were conducting a vehicle inventory, police located two "clear knotted plastic baggies containing a white powdery substance in...the center console of the vehicle." Also in the console was a "Rock Star Energy Drink" with a false bottom that held several more plastic baggies containing a white powdery substance.
After obtaining a search warrant, police identified 14 baggies in the Rock Star beverage, and found that each of the 16 baggies (14 in the drink, two from the console) held approximately a gram of the white substance.
Police also found a Pringles potato chip can with a false bottom, a box of sandwich bags, $8 in cash, rolling papers, and a paper with names and numbers.
The powder was tested and identified as cocaine, weighing a total of about 15.4 grams.
Hanson is charged with:
- One count Felony Manufacture, Delivery or Possession with the Intent to Deliver a Controlled Substance
- Possession of a controlled substance Paraphernalia
- Driving Under the Influence of Alcohol
- Driving Under the Influence of Alcohol at the Highest Rate (over two times the legal limit two hours after arrest)
- Careless Driving
- Failure to Drive Within a Lane
According to court records, Hanson is out on $20,000 bail. His preliminary hearing is scheduled for Tuesday, Sept. 25.