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AHOSKIE – The keen eyes of an Ahoskie Police officer resulted in the arrest of a local man on drug charges.

Lionell Hardy Jr., 48, of Ahoskie, was arrested on Monday (Jan. 20) after a search of a vehicle he was operating yielded a large amount of marijuana.

Ahoskie Police Major Jimmy Asbell said that APD K-9 Sgt. Michael Kellett was on routine patrol when he spotted Hardy operating a motor vehicle.

“Sgt. Kellett was aware that Mr. Hardy’s driver’s license were revoked, so he initiated a traffic stop on the vehicle,” Asbell said.

“Subsequent to making the traffic stop, Sgt. Kellett searched the vehicle at which time he discovered a large amount of marijuana,” Asbell added.

Kellett charged Hardy with felony possession of marijuana as well as possession of marijuana paraphernalia, a misdemeanor. He also issued Hardy a traffic citation for driving while license were revoked.

Hardy was booked into the Hertford County Jail under a $4,000 secured bond and was scheduled to make his first appearance in Hertford County Criminal District Court on Jan. 21.