BERKELEY COUNTY, S.C. (WCBD) – Berkeley County deputies arrested a man for trafficking narcotics after he was caught with large amounts during a traffic stop, the agency announced Friday.
40-year-old John Michael Tablas was arrested and charged with trafficking methamphetamine more than 28 grams but less than 100 grams and two charges of possession of a weapon during the commission of a violent crime.
A patrol vehicle pulled Tablas over on 2248 N. Main Street at 1 a.m. after determining his vehicle to be suspicious, the Berkeley County Sheriff’s Office said.
When the deputy approached, they saw tools consistent with burglaries, such as locksmith tools, drills, and headlamps, in addition to small black baggies in the backseat of the vehicle.
The sheriff’s office explained that a K9 was requested after Tablas refused to consent to a vehicle search. K9 Gery responded and showed a positive alert during a free-air sniff.
Authorities conducted a probable cause search and found a pipe with methamphetamine residue, a magnet box with about 45 grams of methamphetamine in it, a scale, a 1911 .45 Caliber handgun, and a Thunder .380 Caliber handgun.