Youngstown cops find guns, pot, suspected counterfeit cash

Staff report

YOUNGSTOWN

Police found a revolver, a small amount of marijuana and more than $1,700 in suspected counterfeit money while arresting a man during a traffic stop on the South Side on Friday night.

Majed Ali, 27, of Canfield, was booked into the Mahoning County jail on charges of carrying a concealed weapon and possession of marijuana. A police report said evidence will be given to city prosecutors to determine if Ali should be prosecuted for criminal simulation or if the case should be handled by the Secret Service.

Reports said Ali was pulled over about 8:50 p.m. in the 300 block of West Princeton Avenue for having no tail lights. He told an officer he did not have a license on him and looked for his registration in the center console of his car but would not open his glove compartment.

A records check revealed Ali has a valid driver’s license but a suspended CCW (carrying a concealed weapon) permit, reports said.

Reports said Ali appeared to be very nervous and he was asked to step out of his car. When he was searched, an officer found a bag of marijuana and $423 on him. The remains of a marijuana cigar were found in his driver’s-side door panel, and a loaded .38 -caliber revolver was found in the glove compartment.

When police checked the center console of his car, they found 15 $1,000 bills and 34 $10 bills, reports said. All of the thousand-dollar bills but one had the same serial number, and all of the $10 bills had the same serial number, reports said.

Ali told police he sold a stereo to an unknown man three weeks ago who paid him in counterfeit bills and he chose not to report the matter to police because he wanted to take care of it himself.

Reports did not mention if the money taken out of Ali’s pockets was suspected of being counterfeit.