Apparently there’s nothing routine about a routine traffic stop.

Two Bertie County men were arrested recently on drug charges during unrelated traffic stops conducted by the Bertie County Sheriff’s Office.

According to Bertie Sheriff John Holley, one such stop earlier this month netted the arrest of 36-year-old Shontell Danyell Taylor of Colerain. Marijuana packaged for sale was discovered during a search of Taylor’s vehicle.

Holley said that Taylor was charged with possession with intent to sale/deliver marijuana, maintaining a vehicle to keep/store a controlled substance, and possession of drug paraphernalia. He was placed in the Bertie-Martin Regional Jail under a $10,000 secured bond.

Nearly a week later, another traffic stop was carried out, this one, according to Holley came after surveillance was conducted on a vehicle in the town of Aulander.

As a result of that stop, 24-year-old Steven Aaron Byrum of Moore Road, Kelford, was arrested and charged with simple possession of marijuana. He was held on a $750 secured bond.

Holley commended the actions of his deputies in both cases and said his office would continue their efforts to arrest those involved in the use and/or sale of illegal narcotics in Bertie County.