GREENFIELD — A Vermont man was arrested on drug charges Thursday morning after state troopers stopped him for speeding on Interstate 91 northbound.
Brendon Lee, 39, of Milton, Vermont, appeared in Greenfield District Court later in the day, where he pleaded not guilty to trafficking in cocaine, trafficking in fentanyl, unlicensed operation of a motor vehicle (corrective lenses violation) and speeding.
According to State Police, Trooper Owen King was on patrol with Trooper Michael Leslie on Interstate 91 at 8:25 a.m. on Thursday when they observed a gray sedan traveling at a speed greater than the posted limit. The two stopped the vehicle after a query of its registration revealed the owner, Lee, had an active warrant through Holyoke District Court from 2011.
After confirming that Lee was the driver, the troopers placed him under arrest and transported him to the Shelburne Falls barracks for booking. In addition to confirming the active warrant, it was also determined that Lee was not wearing his corrective eyeglasses, a restriction on his license for operating a vehicle, according to State Police.
Before the vehicle was towed, King and Leslie reportedly saw an unusual amount of clothing and footwear in the trunk. Hidden in the clothing, the troopers reportedly found five plastic baggies of various sizes, containing a total of 215 grams of cocaine and 11 grams of fentanyl. According to State Police, there was also more than $2,000 in cash.
King and Leslie received assistance from Trooper Nicholas Pickunka of the State Police’s K-9 unit to complete a sweep of the vehicle for further drug-related contraband.
Lee was ordered held on $20,000 bail. He is due back in Greenfield District Court for a pretrial hearing on Nov. 22.
Reach Domenic Poli at: dpoli@recorder.com or 413-930-4120.