Centereach, Lake Grove Men Charged in Pot Bust

Written by Taylor K. Vecsey

More than 10 pounds of freshly harvested marijuana was discovered during a traffic stop in Water Mill on Saturday night, landing a Lake Grove man and a Centereach man in jail, Southampton Town police said.

Police stopped a 2002 Ford Windstar minivan on Deerfield Road, north of Head of Pond Road, at 9:08 p.m., according to Sgt. Todd Spencer. The driver, Daniel Dost, a 38-year-old Centereach resident, was allegedly speeding and failing to maintain his lane of travel, Spencer said. 

The officer noticed a strong odor of marijuana coming from inside the minivan, and a subsequent search revealed two large garbage bags filled with the marijuana behind the back seat, in the rear cargo area, police said.

"It's not everyday we come across 10 pounds of marijuana," Spencer said. 

Dost and his passenger, William Whelan, a 43-year-old Lake Grove resident, were arrested and charged with criminal possession of marijuana in the second degree, a felony, unlawfully growing marijuana, a misdemeanor, and unlawful possession of marijuana, a violation. 

Asked if the men were bringing the marijuana to the South Fork or picking it up, Spencer said police are continuing to investigate.

Dost was allegedly driving with a suspended license and he was additionally charged with aggravated unlicensed operation of a motor vehicle in the third-degree, a misdemeanor, as well as traffic infractions. 

The minivan was impounded. 

Both men are being held at the Suffolk County jail in Riverside following arraignment on Sunday morning. Whelan's bail was set at $10,100, while Dost is being held on $8,100 bail.