A Marathon man was arrested on Big Pine Key Tuesday night after drugs were found in and around his car.
Deputy Austin Hopp pulled the silver 2004 Kia over at the 32 mile marker at 9 p.m. because it had no lights illuminating its license tag. He identified the driver as 33 year old Dwayne Ritchie. When Deputy Hopp walked up the car, Ritchie immediately said “sorry for the smoke”. Deputy Hopp could, indeed, smell the odor of marijuana coming from the car window. Ritchie admitted to having marijuana in the car and told the deputy he also had an open container of alcohol – a bottle of partially consumed Jameson Irish Whiskey – behind the driver’s seat.
A search of the vehicle also turned up cocaine and drug paraphernalia in various locations. A bag of cocaine was also found just outside the driver’s side door on the ground. Ritchie admitted the drugs were his.
Deputy Hopp found a total of 24 grams of cocaine, some packaged for sale in small plastic bags. He also found 10 grams of marijuana. Ritchie told the deputy he was selling drugs so he could use the money to help pay the move in costs because he was planning to rent a home.
Ritchie was charged with possession of cocaine with intent to sell, possession of marijuana, possession of drug paraphernalia and tampering with evidence. He was booked into jail.
