Cop spotted traffic violation, but what was in car is causing men more trouble, SC officers say

Two men were recently arrested on multiple charges after being pulled over for a license plate violation, police said Orangeburg County Sheriff’s Office.

Quamaine Council of Eutawville, 21, and Marquise White, 29, were charged with possession with intent to distribute marijuana, trafficking in methamphetamine, trafficking in MDMA or ecstasy and two counts of unlawful carrying of a handgun and possession of a weapon during a violent crime, the sheriff’s office said in a news release Monday.

White was also charged with two counts of resisting arrest and alcohol/open container of beer or wine in motor vehicle taxes, Orangeburg County court records show. His bond was set at $122,257.50 on the combined charges and was posted Sunday, according to court records.

The costs of the Council are also included traffic violations for driving without a license, operating a vehicle with a missing or improperly displayed license plate, failure to maintain proof of insurance in a motor vehicle and alcohol/open container of beer or wine in a motor vehicle, court records show. Council’s bond was set at $107,722.50 based on the combined charges and was posted on Oct. 21, according to court records.

Drugs, cash and a firearm were seized during a traffic stop.

The traffic stop occurred just after 11 p.m. on Oct. 18 while officers were on patrol Old number six highway near Vance noticed the license plate violation, the sheriff’s office said.

During a search, officers found ecstasy, marijuana, crack cocaine, digital scales, a 9mm handgun with a loaded magazine and more than $5,000 in cash, according to the release. Information on the quantity of each of the drugs discovered was not available.

“A simple traffic violation, noticed by observant officers, led to these arrests,” Sheriff Leroy Ravenell said in the news release. “These deputies paid attention to the little things that led to these drugs being taken off the streets.”

Both Council and White are scheduled to return to court on December 13, according to court documents.