Two men were arrested in North Charleston, South Carolina, late Monday afternoon after a routine patrol and traffic stop turned into a major drug and gun case.
Who was arrested
- Derrontae Philip Holmes, 30, from Moncks Corner, was charged with possession with intent to distribute marijuana.
- Jeremiah Siayr Alston, 25, from Charleston, was charged with unlawful possession of a handgun and possession of a firearm by a convicted felon, as a background check confirmed he is a felon.
How the stop unfolded
Police said an officer in the Chicora/Cherokee area noticed an SUV with two occupants around 6 p.m. and observed both men acting nervous, avoiding eye contact, and slouching; the officer also detected the smell of marijuana as the vehicle passed. The officer then stopped the vehicle because the license plate was partially obscured, a common traffic‑infraction justification.
What officers found
During the stop, officers again smelled marijuana and saw packaging consistent with narcotics inside the SUV. A search of the vehicle and both men reportedly turned up:
- More than 100 grams of marijuana in the center console, plus smaller amounts on their persons.
- Cash, a digital scale, a handgun in the glove box, and a loaded magazine nearby.
Legal status and where they were held
The presence of the handgun and loaded magazine combined with Alston’s felon status triggered the unlawful‑possession charges. Both Holmes and Alston were taken into custody and transported to the Al Cannon Detention Center in North Charleston.
