Delaware State Police say they have arrested a Wilmington man who they say was in possession of a loaded hand gun and drugs during traffic stop.

Wilmington: According to Master Corporal Jeffrey R. Hale, The incident occurred at approximately 1:45 a.m. on Wednesday, January 18, 2017, as members of the Governor’s Task Force (G.T.F.) were on patrol in the area of South Market Street just south of Wilmington.

Police say that members of the Governors Task force observed a 2006 Mercury Mariner traveling in a northbound direction at a high rate of speed.

A traffic stop of the vehicle was then conducted, and as contact was made with the operator and lone occupant of the car, later identified as Keith L. Howell, 37, the odor of marijuana was detected coming from the interior of the vehicle. They then had Howell exit the car at which time a pat down search of him was conducted.

During the search, members of the Governors Task force observed that Howell appeared to be attempting to conceal something under his arm and against his body. It was at this point that a loaded Glock 9mm handgun was located under his arm. They also located 2 grams of marijuana in Howell’s pants pocket.

Keith Howell was arrested and transported to Troop 2 where he was charged with Carrying a Concealed Firearm, Possession of a Firearm by a Person Prohibited, Possession of Ammunition by a Person Prohibited, Possession of a Deadly Weapon by a Person Prohibited while in Possession of a Controlled Substance, Possession of Marijuana, and Driving at a Unreasonable Speed. He was arraigned at JP Court 11 and released on $34,000.00 unsecured bail.