NORTHAMPTON - A 58-year-old city man was arrested by a joint state and local police task force Monday after a U.S. Postal Service inspector at a mailing center in Hartford, Conn., discovered a shipment of marijuana addressed to a home on Bridge Street in Northampton.

Police said they found about 30 pounds of marijuana in the home of John J. Smith, of 137 Bridge St., after an inspector, dressed as a letter carrier, delivered to Smith a battered and partially opened box containing five pounds of marijuana.

Smith pleaded innocent Tuesday in Northampton District Court to possession of a class D drug with the intent to distribute and committing a drug violation near a school or park. He was released after posting $1,000 cash bail pending a pretrial hearing Jan. 20, 2012.

Police said they received information that a battered and ripped box sent from California and addressed to Smith was found at the Hartford mail center, and that the marijuana was visible inside.

Police obtained a search warrant and observed the postal inspector make delivery of the package about 2:32 p.m.

Less than half an hour later, police knocked on Smith's door and he answered. As they entered his home with the search warrant, police allege Smith said, "I know why you are here, the box is over there," as he pointed.

Police allege Smith gave them a statement admitting that he had purchased 10 pounds of marijuana from a California supplier. He said he bought the pot for $2,500 per pound and later sold it for $3,500 per pound.

When asked who he sold the pot to, police quoted Smith as saying, "They are professionals. I am not going to hurt them."

Police say Smith later showed police his basement processing room, which allegedly contained another 25 pounds of marijuana, scales and packaging materials. Police confiscated $3,385 in cash from Smith, court documents indicate.