Seatbelt Checkpoint Yields Drug Arrests

Two Darien men were arrested Tuesday after police allegedly discovered over 20 grams of marijuana in their vehicle at a seatbelt checkpoint.

Michael Juterbock, 23, and Tyler Curtis, 23, were charged with possession of marijuana, sale of marijuana, and possession of drug paraphernalia in the incident.

According to Capt. Fred Komm, Curtis and Juterbock pulled into the checkpoint on Old Kings Highway North around 4:40 p.m. The department had been operating the stop as part of the state's "" campaign.

Neither occupant was wearing a seatbelt at the time, Komm said, and as an officer began writing out tickets — $97 apiece — he reportedly detected a smell of marijuana coming from inside the 2000 Infinity QX4.

When questioned by police, Juterbock admitted there might be some marijuana in the SUV, Komm said. Both occupants reportedly appeared "very nervous" during the exchange.

Komm said subsequent search of the pair and the vehicle turned up a plastic bag with 7.6g of the drug in Curtis's waistband, a glass jar with 13.3g "clearly wrapped for sale" in the passenger compartment, and a digital scale.

Curtis and Juterbock with both taken into custody. Curtis was initially held on a $10,000 bond but was later released on a promise to appear after a bond commissioner reduced the amount. Juterbock posted a $900 bond.

Both are set to appear in court June 10.