A Naugatuck man has been arrested after state police say they discovered more than 8 pounds of marijuana in his vehicle.

Jonathan Ven, 21, was arraigned Monday after the vehicle he was in nearly hit a parked police cruiser on Route 8 near Exit 7 just after midnight.

After pulling the vehicle over, troopers say Ven told police he had a small amount of drugs before they discovered the large quantity of marijuana.

"The suspect offered a small amount of marijuana to the trooper after, which led to a probable cause search of the vehicle, which turned up approximately 8 pounds of marijuana," says state police Sgt. Thomas Kiely.

Police say the suspect was a passenger in the vehicle with two other males, but that Ven admitted the drugs were his.

They add that he got the marijuana in the mail from a family member and was planning to sell it in the area.

Police did not estimate the amount the quantity of marijuana could sell for, but said it could hold significant value.

He is being held on $100,000 bond and is due back in court Feb. 13.