Man tries to drive through police checkpoint with pot on lap

A Hamilton man no doubt wishes hehad beenwearing a seatbelt after trying to drive through a seatbelt checkpoint with his belt undone and thousands of dollars in drugs in his car Sunday morning.

Police were conducting seatbelt checks on Upper James Street on the ramp heading up to the Lincoln Alexander Parkway around 11:30 a.m. when one officer noticed a driver with his belt undone and loose marijuana strewn across his lap.

"He also had a baggie of marijuana next to his leg," said Staff Sgt. Mark Cox.

When police arrested the man, they saidhe was in possession of 14 grams of marijuana, along with 2.4 grams of cocaine, 123 grams of hash, a "large quantity of cash" and a replica firearm.

The street value of the drugsis around $6,500, Cox said.

A 26-year-old Hamilton man was arrested and charged with possession of a controlled substance.

"That's why it pays to wear your seatbelt," Cox said.