ACLU Sues State After Car Seized During Traffic Stop

A state trooper said he smelled burnt marijuana and asked to search the car

The Vermont chapter of the American Civil Liberties Union has sued the state, saying police wrongly seized a man's car, leaving him walk eight miles home.

The suit says 21-year-old Greg Zullo of Rutland, who is black, was pulled over in Wallingford last March. A state trooper said snow was covering his license plate registration sticker.

The trooper said he smelled burnt marijuana and asked to search the car. Zullo refused. He left the car and allowed he trooper to search him.

The car was towed away; a grinder and pot pipe with some marijuana residue were found. Vermont law says less than one ounce of marijuana is not criminal.

State Police referred questions to the attorney general's office. Assistant Attorney General Megan Schafritz said the complaint is under review.

Copyright AP - Associated Press
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