Lonnie Helman, 45, of 23 Jersey St., Pepperell, Massachusetts

MERRIMACK – Police say officers who pulled over a car early Sunday morning for a “moving violation” suspected the driver of possible impairment “due to the consumption of alcohol,” so an officer conducted a series of field sobriety tests.

The results prompted the officer to arrest the driver, Lonnie Helman, 45, of 23 Jersey St., Pepperell, Massachusetts, and charge him with operating under the influence.

While Helman was being transported to police headquarters for booking, police said officers at the scene conducted an inventory of Helman’s vehicle. When they looked in the trunk, the officers allegedly located 400 grams of marijuana, prompting police to add a charge of possession of a controlled drug with intent to distribute.

For reference, roughly 455 grams equal one pound, meaning the amount Helman allegedly had in his car is just shy of a pound, hence the “intent to distribute” charge.

In addition to that charge and the OUI offense, Helman was also charged with one count each of transportation of drugs in a motor vehicle and violating the open container law.

Once he was booked on all the charges, Helman was released on personal recognizance bail pending an appearance in Hillsborough County Superior Court South in Nashua, the date of which is yet to be determined, police said.

Dean Shalhoup may be reached at 594-1256 or dshalhoup@nashuatelegraph.com.

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