Plainfield - State police said a 43-year-old New London man stopped and arrested on Interstate 395 Wednesday was transporting 23 pounds of synthetic marijuana and 11 digital scales.

Faheem Muhammad of 52 Hawthorne Drive was stopped by police at the rest area in Plainfield at 6:30 p.m. and during the traffic stop troopers could see in plain view "a large cardboard box containing numerous bags of synthetic marijuana," according to a press statement from the state police Quality of Life Task Force, which is based at Troop D in Danielson.

Police said there were 900 bags of synthetic marijuana with an estimated street value of $18,000.

Muhammad was charged with possession of narcotics and possession of narcotics with intent to sell. Processed and released on a $50,000 non-surety bond, he is slated to appear July 30 in Danielson Superior.

The arrest was one of several made in the past month in the so-called "Quiet Corner," as part of a concerted effort to combat the drug trade. Police ask anyone with information regarding the illegal sale of narcotics and /or synthetic marijuana to call the Troop D QLTF anonymous Tips Hotline at 860-779-4950 or message the QLTF Facebook page.