By Shavonne Walker
shavonne.walker@salisburypost.com

SALISBURY — A Kannapolis police officer who was in the area of West Horah and Institute streets during a joint traffic operation with the Salisbury Police Department spotted a driver not wearing a seat belt. The officer stopped the vehicle and smelled marijuana, according to police officials.

Salisbury police responded with a K-9, which alerted officers to drugs in the car, a report said.

Police charged Fate Ferguson IV, 29, of the 200 block of South Caldwell Street, with misdemeanor possession of a controlled substance Schedule VI, misdemeanor possession of drug paraphernalia and two counts of misdemeanor carrying a concealed weapon.

Officers searched the vehicle and found two firearms hidden in the side pocket of the driver’s side door. Both guns were loaded.

In addition, officers found a marijuana grinder with marijuana residue on it and 1 gram of marijuana wrapped in plastic.

Ferguson was released from the Rowan County Detention Center under a $1,000 secured bond.