AULANDER – What started as a routine traffic stop for an equipment violation ended with a drug arrest here Tuesday.

Jamal Peebles, 29 of 3512 Governor’s Road, Lewiston-Woodville, was charged by the Aulander Police with intent to sale and deliver marijuana and possession of drug paraphernalia. Bond was set at $15,500 and Peebles made his first court appearance in Windsor on Wednesday.

The arrest came after Aulander Police Officer Brian Knowles noted an equipment violation on the vehicle Peebles was operating.

After stopping the vehicle on Snipes Street, Officer Knowles reported he noted the strong smell of marijuana emitting from the interior of the vehicle as he was approaching the driver’s side window. Knowles called for back-up and was assisted by Aulander Police Officer Jimmy Barmer.

The officers conducted a search of the vehicle and of Peebles. Barmer reported that in Peebles’ possession were three small individual bags of marijuana. Inside the vehicle, two larger bags as well as three additional small individual bags of pot were discovered. Also found in the vehicle was a smoking pipe (bong).

Peebles was arrested and transported to Windsor by Officer Knowles. There, Peebles was processed and taken to the Bertie-Martin Regional Jail.

The Aulander Police Department reminds the public that the town has a zero tolerance policy for illegal drugs. They also urge citizens to contact the Aulander Police (345-3181) in regards to any type of suspicious activity. The information provided by the caller is kept confidential.