Police Dog Sniffs Out Marijuana in Car at Rockland County Jail

A Stony Point woman who was on her way to visit an inmate at the Rockland county jail was charged with marijuana possession after a detected drugs in her car in the parking lot of the jail in New City, according to the Rockland Sheriff's Department.

Sheriff's Officer Chris Ford and police dog "Shadow" were conducting a routine checkpoint at the entrance to the Rockland County Correctional Facility at 9:25 a.m. on Saturday when Shadow indicated the presence of some type of drug oder at the rear of a car driven by Melissa Simo, 22, of Stony Point. Sheriff's Chief of Patrol William Barbera said indications from the police dog led to a search of the car.

Barbera said Shadow alerted Ford to the center console area of the car. Barbera said Ford found a small amount of what is believed to be marijuna in the console.

Simo was cited for unlawful possession of marijuna and released pending a hearing Wednesday in Clarkstown Town Court in New City.

Barbera said Shadow is used to help the Sheriff's Department Corrections Division with operations inside the county jail. However, Barbera said Shadow is also used to conduct drug sweeps in the vacinity of the jail and is available to help other police departments in drug searches.

Shadow was introduced to the community last week. On the same day the dog was introduced, Barbera said Shadow was sent to assist Orangetown Police and helped uncover a stash of more than 3 ounces of marijuana.