Nesquehoning man faces drug charges, traffic violations

A Nesquehoning man faces drug charges after he was pulled over for a traffic violation.

Chad Malaska, 42, of West Coal Street, was charged with two counts driving under the influence of a controlled substance, and one count each possession of marijuana, possession of drug paraphernalia and no rear lights.

On Sept. 1, Nesquehoning police were monitoring traffic along Route 93 when officers observed a vehicle, driven by Malaska, with nonfunctioning registration lights.

A traffic stop was initiated and when police approached the car, the officer noticed Malaska had signs of some type of intoxication.

Field sobriety tests were conducted, which Malaska failed.

Malaska also admitted to the officer that he had a marijuana pipe and marijuana in his pocket.

A search of the vehicle revealed other drug paraphernalia, as well as more marijuana.

Malaska was taken to St. Luke’s for a blood draw, which came back positive for methampthetamine and Delta 9 THC.