A Poplar Bluff man may face drug distribution charges after authorities seized nearly 5 ounces of suspected marijuana and more than $2,000 in cash during a traffic stop on Christmas Eve.
At about 11:25 p.m. Tuesday, Patrolman Cody Trout was patrolling southbound on 11th Street when he saw a northbound Dodge Charger allegedly fail to stop at the stop sign at the intersection of 11th and Martin streets.
Trout, according to his report, conducted a traffic stop at the intersection of 11th and Velma streets and contacted the driver, identified as Marquan Antyrez Nelson.
After seeing a handgun magazine on the center console, Trout said, he had Nelson get out of his car.
“As Nelson exited the vehicle, I detected a strong odor of marijuana emitting from Nelson’s person and from inside the vehicle,” Trout said.
For officer safety, Trout said, he patted Nelson down, and the 22-year-old agreed to empty his pockets.
“I located a clear, plastic Baggie containing a green leafy substance, which I recognized to be marijuana due to my training and experience,” Trout said. “Nelson also had a roll of $2,053 on his person.”
Trout said he then searched the vehicle and found what he described as multiple clear, plastic bags in between the center console and the driver’s seat in “close proximity” to a loaded Glock 19 pistol and a digital scale with a green-leafy residue.
“I located multiple clear, plastic Baggies containing marijuana in the trunk of the vehicle and under the spare tire,” Trout said.
Nelson was arrested and advised of his rights.
“Nelson stated he did not deal drugs nor did he have any knowledge of the marijuana in the trunk of the vehicle,” Trout said.
Seized by Trout were seven clear, plastic bags of suspected marijuana, a digital scale, Glock 19 (rounds and magazine) and $2,053 in cash.
The total “bag weight” of the bags of suspected marijuana was 136.3 grams (about 4.77 ounces), Trout said.
Nelson, a resident of the 700 block of Nickey Street, was arrested on suspicion of distribution of marijuana, unlawful possession of a firearm and failure to stop at a stop sign.
Nelson was booked at the Butler County jail and later released.