A Columbia man was arrested after a traffic stop in Maryland that led to the seizure of a loaded firearm, more than 50 pills and more than $2,000 in cash, Aberdeen police said Friday.
The Aberdeen Police Department said officers stopped a vehicle on June 30 for what they described as "a violation" near an intersection. The driver was identified as 28-year-old Robert Davis, according to a police photo released with the report.
Police deployed a K-9 during the stop. The dog gave an alert indicating the possible presence of drugs inside the vehicle, and officers conducted a search.
Evidence recovered and charges
Aberdeen police reported the search produced the following items:
- Loaded handgun
- More than 50 pills (police did not specify the type)
- Over $2,000 in cash
"A K-9 alerted possible drugs inside the vehicle during the stop," the Aberdeen Police Department said in its account of the incident.
Davis was arrested and charged with multiple counts, including possession with intent to distribute, firearm possession during a drug trafficking crime, and carrying a loaded handgun on his person, according to the department. The arrest report says additional charges were filed but did not list them individually.
| Item seized | Reported quantity |
|---|---|
| Handgun (loaded) | 1 |
| Pills | More than 50 |
| Cash | Over $2,000 |
Case status and local impact
Aberdeen police said Davis was later released on bond. The department did not provide additional details about where the vehicle was coming from or headed, whether local Columbia law enforcement had been involved before or after the stop, or the specific nature of the pills seized.
The case underscores how law enforcement actions outside South Carolina can still involve Columbia residents and lead to charges that may carry significant penalties. Maryland prosecutors will handle the criminal case unless prosecutors in another jurisdiction pursue related charges.
Requests for further comment from the Aberdeen Police Department and the defendant's representatives were not immediately returned.
