GARYSBURG – A traffic stop on a vehicle operating erratically on NC 186 resulted in the arrest of a Conway man on drug and gun charges.

Lt. A.J. Thomas of the Northampton County Sheriff’s Office said that Deputy M. Sledge was patrolling NC 186 in the Gumberry/Gaston area on Nov. 12 when he observed a black Nissan Altima driving erratically. Sledge preformed a traffic stop on the vehicle on US Highway 301 and School Street in Garysburg for the minor traffic violation in which he observed.

This vehicle was driven by Don Long II of Conway. On his approach to the vehicle, Sledge noted the strong odor of marijuana. Subsequently, Long was initially placed under arrested after a user amount of marijuana was found on his person.

Further investigation into the matter by Sledge revealed an additional 150 grams of marijuana packaged for sale, $1,000 in U.S. currency and a firearm was located inside of Long’s vehicle.

Long was presented before an area magistrate where probable cause was found to charge with him with felony maintaining of a vehicle for the purpose of storing a controlled substance, possession with intent to sale and deliver marijuana, felony possession of marijuana and possession of a firearm by felon. Long was also cited on citation for driving left of center. On those charges Long received a secured bond of $22,000 and a first court appearance on Nov. 19.

Northampton County Sheriff Jack Smith thanked Deputy Sledge for his diligence and hard work that he provides for the citizens of Northampton County. Smith added that Sledge is an asset to the Sheriff’s Office and also thanked the Garysburg Police Department for their assistance in the case.