Smell Of Pot During Traffic Stop Leads To Drug Charges

MOORESVILLE, NC — A recent traffic stop in Iredell County led to two suspects in handcuffs and facing drug charges after a deputy smelled the scent of marijuana coming out of the car, according to the Iredell County Sheriff’s Office.

On Dec. 14, an ICSO deputy pulled a tan Dodge Neon over for a traffic violation on Salisbury Highway near Barkley Road, according to a report.

“While speaking with the occupants in the car, the deputy detected a very strong odor of marijuana coming from inside the vehicle,”

Brandy Diane Benge, 26, told the deputy she was en route to get gas, “and hang out” with Joshua Anson Orner, 28, who was also in the vehicle.

The marijuana smell prompted a vehicle search, and while the officer was conducting a check for outstanding warrants, he said he noticed that Orner “was behaving suspiciously and acting very nervous,” the ICSO report said.

The deputy then conducted a pat down search of Orner, at which point he found drug paraphernalia. After the officer asked Benge to step out of the car, he said she then attempted to destroy about 14 grams of methamphetamine that was “hidden on her person.”

A vehicle search also uncovered marijuana, along with multiple paraphernalia items, ICSO said.

Benge was arrested and charged with felony possession with intent to sell and deliver methamphetamine, felony possession of methamphetamine, felony maintaining a vehicle to sell, or deliver methamphetamine, felony destruction of evidence, possession of marijuana, possession of drug paraphernalia, possession of marijuana drug paraphernalia, fictitious registration plate, and a traffic violation. Her bond was set at $5,000.

Orner was arrested and charged with misdemeanor possession of drug paraphernalia. His bond was set at $1,000.

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Photos courtesy of the Iredell County Sheriff’s Office