Scent of Marijuana Leads to Discovery of Illegal Firearm

A St. John man caught smoking marijuana by police officers was also caught with an illegal firearm, the V.I. Police Department reported Tuesday.

On Saturday, at approximately 7:45 p.m., Special Operations Bureau Officers were on patrol in the area of Vester Gade Road when they observed Lakeem Herbert smoking what appeared to be a marijuana cigarette outside the establishment of La Suerte Restaurant, according to the police report.

When officers approached Herbert, a strong odor of marijuana was detected. Officers confiscated the marijuana cigarette from Herbert and advised him of the marijuana law and his rights, the police report stated.

Prior to officers frisking Herbert for officers’ safety, he confessed to having an unlicensed firearm, which officers seized, the report stated.

Herbert, 37, was placed under arrest for possession of an illegal firearm, possession of illegal ammunition, possession of drug paraphernalia, and possession of narcotics with intent to distribute. Herbert’s bail was set at $50,000; unable to post bail, he was remanded to the Bureau of Corrections, police said.