WINDSOR – Three pounds of marijuana will not find its way into the drug culture of the Roanoke-Chowan area.

Last week, the North Carolina State Highway Patrol and Windsor Police Department combined their efforts to take a large amount of pot off the street.

Former Gates County resident Rico Jackson, 24, who currently resides at 715 Ghent Street in Windsor, was arrested on several drug charges.

Windsor Police Detective Sgt. Ricky White reported that Jackson was charged with two felonies n possession with intent to sell and deliver marijuana and maintaining a dwelling to keep a controlled substance. He was also charged with possession of drug paraphernalia, a misdemeanor.

Additionally, Troop A/District II State Highway Patrol Trooper Angel Genao lodged the same charges against Jackson, the only difference being maintaining a vehicle to keep a controlled substance.

All totaled, Jackson’s bond was set at $100,000 cash. During his first court appearance on Aug. 14, Jackson’s bond was lowered to $30,000 cash.

The incidents leading to Jackson’s arrest began with a traffic stop performed Aug. 12 by Trooper Genao. That stop was initiated due to the Trooper noticing that Jackson was not wearing a seat belt.

“Upon asking the driver for his vehicle registration information, Trooper Genao observed a baggie containing leafy green matter in the console area of the vehicle as Mr. Jackson was retrieving his registration card,” White said.

Trooper Genao then called for back-up, prompting White to go to the scene of the traffic stop on US 17/13. Upon a further search of the vehicle, a grocery bag containing one pound of marijuana was discovered in the back seat.

“Some of that was individually packaged in one-ounce bags and there was another larger bag containing bulk marijuana,” White said.

Also discovered in the grocery bag was a set of electronic scales.

Upon processing Jackson at the Windsor Police Department (where it was learned that he had a Corapeake address on his driver’s license, but had recently moved to Windsor), White said he asked and received permission to search Jackson’s residence. There, two additional pounds of marijuana was discovered in a closet.