A routine traffic stop in Lewisburg Saturday night turned into a major drug and weapons investigation, according to the Lewisburg Police Department.
Officers pulled over a silver Chevy Malibu with West Virginia plates at Home2 Suites after noticing the vehicle had no working registration lights. Officer Jeffery T. Williams II said he detected the smell of marijuana during the stop. Passenger Robert Wade admitted the marijuana belonged to him.
Authorities say the situation escalated when Wade made suspicious movements while officers tried to detain him. A 7.75-inch knife was discovered hidden in his jacket sleeve.
A search revealed:
5 grams of marijuana
1.75 grams of methamphetamine
105 Alprazolam (Xanax) pills
1 Suboxone strip (8 mg)
A marijuana grinder with loose marijuana
In a startling development, officers also found a 4-inch homemade explosive wrapped in black duct tape containing black powder and a fuse.
The drugs were classified as Schedule I, II, and III substances under West Virginia law. Wade was arrested and transported to Southern Regional Jail. Additional charges related to the explosive are expected, and the investigation is ongoing.