Two Mississippi men were detained Sunday night after a routine traffic stop revealed over 70 pounds of marijuana and two firearms, according to the Vicksburg Police Department.
Around 9:45 p.m., VPD Lt. Donnie Heggins pulled over a vehicle for a window tint violation. Inside were Tavion Osha Pope, 22, and Robert La Mont Ward, 24, both of Vicksburg. Heggins stated he became suspicious of narcotics activity during the stop and requested assistance from K9 Officer Blake Scallions.
Scallions’ narcotics detection dog, Nadia, detected the presence of drugs, triggering a check of the vehicle. Officers seized around 66 pounds of marijuana, worth an estimated $100,000 on the street, as well as two pistols.
Pope and Ward were charged with trafficking controlled substances and appeared in Vicksburg Municipal Court on Monday. Pope, who was already out on bond for a previous possession charge, received a $300,000 bond. Ward’s bond amount was set at $200,000.
Vicksburg Police continue to investigate the matter.
