Northport pair face drug charges after traffic stop

A man and woman from Northport were arrested Monday night on charges of drug possession after a traffic stop by State Police on the Sunken Meadow Parkway in Smithtown, police said.

Police said a trooper from the Brentwood Barracks initiated the stop on the southbound parkway at about 9:30 p.m. -- after seeing a gray Lexus traveling with one headlight.

During the stop, police said, the trooper, whose identity was not released, detected "a strong odor" of marijuana.

A search of the vehicle uncovered 10 grams of pot, police said, as well as 39 grams of concentrated marijuana and five narcotic pills. It was not clear what type of pills were found.

Arrested were the driver, Alicia Caparatta, 29, and passenger Kenneth Taylor, 33. Both were charged with fourth-degree and seventh-degree criminal possession of a controlled substance, as well as with unlawful possession of marijuana and with having a controlled substance not in its original container. Caparatta also was charged with unlicensed operation of a motor vehicle.

Caparatta and Taylor are scheduled for arraignment Tuesday in First District Court in Central Islip, police said.