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Christopher Beyel, 21, rolled a pot cigar while next to a cop at a red light Tuesday in Sparta, police say.

(Photo by Sparta Police Department)

— Some people make police work easy.

Police say a 21-year-old man rolled a pot blunt ... while at a red light next to a patrol car.

A 20-year-old woman driving a silver Honda Civic stopped a red light at the Sparta Junction at about 3:15 p.m. Tuesday, police said. Christopher Beyel was in her front passenger seat, and Officer Craig J. Grauerholz was stopped next to them, waiting to turn right onto Route 15, according to police.

As the officer looked left at the Honda, he watched "in amazement," police said, as Beyel rolled marijuana into a cigar. The pair were talking while Beyel carefully rolled the joint oblivious to the officer's presence, police said.

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Soon the driver made eye contact with the officer, and she nudged Beyel, police said. He then put the cigar down, and when the light turned green, Grauerholz stopped the car, police said.

When asked about the pot by the officer, Beyel denied any knowledge of the cigar or possession of any illegal substance, police said. But when the driver let Grauerholz search the vehicle, he found one small plastic bag containing less than 50 grams of marijuana, one empty plastic bag containing pot residue, a package of "Zig-Zag Wraps," a metallic grinder with marijuana residue inside and one cigar with marijuana in it, police said.

The marijuana cigar was found stuffed between the console and the front passenger seat, according to police.

Beyel was arrested and taken to the Sparta Police Department, where he was charged with possession of marijuana and possession of drug paraphernalia, police said.

Several hours later, police said, he was released upon his own recognizance and given a March 28 court date. Ogdensburg police Officer Christopher Green assisted with the investigation, according to Sparta police.