Traffic stop leads to recovery of loaded handgun, drugs in Dover

DOVER, Del. – Two out-of-state men were arrested during a traffic stop in Dover Thursday night.

We’re told that just after 10 p.m., a trooper conducting proactive traffic enforcement on northbound South DuPont Highway in the area of Webbs Lane stopped a vehicle for an expired New York registration. On contact with the driver, 23-year-old Joshua Perez of Pascagoula, MS, and a 25-year-old male passenger from Bronx, NY, a strong odor of marijuana was detected coming from inside the vehicle.

A search of the vehicle was initiated, leading to the recovery of a loaded handgun and a small container of marijuana.

As a result, Perez was charged with possession of a firearm by a person prohibited, carrying a concealed deadly weapon, possession of a controlled substance, possession of drug paraphernalia, expired tags, and no license in possession. He was committed to SCI on a $7,700 secured bond.

The 25-year-old passenger was issued a civil violation for possession of marijuana and released.