Driver Claims Car with Marijuana, Smoking Pipe and Open Container Inside Isn't His

A Suwanee man who was pulled over for speeding  July 23 by a Winder police officer claimed the vehicle he was driving — and the marijuana, a smoking pipe and open container of alcohol inside — wasn't his. 

After speaking to the driver, who appeared to be confused, the officer asked to search the car, at which time the driver claimed it didn't belong to him. According to an incident report, the search turned up a green, leafy substance in plain view in the driver's side floorboard, a pipe in the driver's seat and a cold alcoholic beverage in the passenger's seat near the center console. 

While neither the driver nor his passenger would claim the items the officer found, both were arrested and charged with open container, possession of marijuana less than 1 ounce and possession of drug-related objects. The driver, Christopher Matthew Minardi, 26, of 2454 Hammock Court in Suwanee, was also charged with driving on a suspended license and speeding. He and his passenger, Steven D. Thomaston, 27, of 1102 Adah Lane in Lawrenceville, were transported and released to the Barrow County Detention Center. 

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