SALISBURY — Salisbury Police Department officials say they have brought drug possession charges against a man after an August incident in which he ditched drugs at a local park.

Mackel Hiram William Gaither, 26, of the 1500 block of North Shaver Street, was charged with felony possession with intent to manufacture, sell and deliver a controlled substance Schedule I; felony possession with intent to manufacture, sell and deliver a controlled substance Schedule VI; misdemeanor resisting, obstructing or delaying and officer; and possession of drug paraphernalia.

An officer stopped a vehicle in which Gaither was a back-seat passenger because the license plate was expired by several months, authorities said. As the officer approached Gaither, he opened the door and ran carrying a backpack. He ran toward Lake Drive, police said.

An officer asked the driver and passenger if they knew Gaither’s name, and both said they did not. They told police they saw him at Three Stars Mini Mart on North Main Street and he needed a ride, so they gave him one.

When police officers caught up to Gaither, they found him with the backpack, which contained clear plastic sandwich bags and digital scales with marijuana residue.

Gaither was issued a bond and was later released from jail.

Police say they later received a phone call that Gaither was at the park where they had arrested him earlier in the day. When officers arrived, Gaither was looking on the ground and took off as officers got closer.

A police K-9 unit searched the area. The police dog found a Clorox cleaning wipes container that had 35 grams of marijuana and 91 amphetamine tablets inside. Police issued arrest warrants for Gaither.

Police had been looking for Gaither since that August arrest. He was arrested again Tuesday.

Contact reporter Shavonne Walker at 704-797-4253.