CHARGED: Deputies spot marijuana seeds during traffic stop | Crime

BLADEN COUNTY, NC (WECT) – Deputies with the Bladen County Sheriff's Office arrested a man after an early morning traffic stop for a number of drug-related charges.

According to Captain Rodney Hester with the sheriff's office, Pedro Joaquin Garcia-Zuniga, 18 of Clarkton, was stopped in the 4000 block of US 701 S for his tail lights being out. Deputies noticed marijuana seeds and stems in plain view as Garcia-Zuniga looked for his driver's license.

Hester said a search of the vehicle revealed a stolen and loaded .380 caliber Bersa semi-automatic handgun and four individual bags of marijuana.

According to Hester, several cigars had been cut open with a razor blade and the tobacco removed which is consistent with users replacing the tobacco with marijuana.

Garcia-Zuniga was charged with:

• Possession with intent to sell and deliver marijuana

• Manufacturing marijuana

• Possession of a stolen handgun

• Possession of drug paraphernalia

• Carrying a concealed weapon

• Rear lamp light violation after a vehicle stop

Copyright 2012 WECT. All rights reserved.