Authorities say two men were charged with drug possession after they made a sudden turn in their vehicle to avoid a traffic stop on Sunday night. Officers with the Rowan County Sheriff’s Office and the N.C. Highway Patrol were conducting a traffic stop at the intersection of North Main Street and U.S. 52 in China Grove when an Oldsmobile Aurora made a wide turn after nearing the stop.
The vehicle drove on the wrong side of the road and “acted as though it was going to run into a ditch,” a report said.
Officers were able to stop the vehicle and spoke with the occupants, who were later identified as Quinton Andrew Jones and Brandon Scott Goins. Officers noted a strong odor of marijuana coming from the car. Officers located a total of 47 grams of marijuana, a 9 mm Sig Sauer handgun, pills, scales and $3,118.
Officials charged Quinton Jones, 23, of the 1100 block of Arbor Drive, China Grove, with felony possession with the intent to manufacture, sell and deliver a controlled schedule VI substance, felony maintain a dwelling or vehicle for a controlled substance and misdemeanor possession of drug paraphernalia. Jones remains in the Rowan County Detention Center under a $5,000 secured bond.
Jones has been convicted of larceny, breaking and entering, shoplifting, driving while license revoked, possession of a firearm by felon and possession of stolen goods.
Brandon Goins, also 23, of the 2700 block of Shuping Mill Road, Rockwell, was charged with misdemeanor carry concealed gun, felony possession with the intent to manufacture, sell and deliver a controlled schedule VI substance, misdemeanor possession of a controlled schedule II substance and misdemeanor possession of drug paraphernalia. Goins remains in the county jail under a $5,000 secured bond.
Goins has been convicted of misdemeanor drug possession, driving under the influence, hit and run, driving while impaired, resisting arrest, possession or purchase wine or alcoholic beverage by person under 21, all of which are misdemeanors.
An arrest warrant said Goins had three scales, a shaker container and a bong. Officers also found six oxymorphone pills and 7 grams of marijuana.
Contact reporter Shavonne Potts at 704-797-4253.