What began as a traffic stop Wednesday evening for North Vernon police led to the arrest of a Lexington man on drug charges.

Corey G. Watson, 23, faces charges of possession of marijuana more than 30 grams with a prior conviction, a Level 6 felony; possession of a controlled substance, a Class A misdemeanor; and Legend Drug Act violation, a Level 6 felony.

The events that led to the arrest began when Officer Todd Beam stopped Watson at 11:04 p.m. for an equipment violation on the vehicle he was driving, according to a news release from Sgt.

Andrew Richmond with North Vernon Police Department.

During the stop, Beam discovered the pickup truck Watson was driving did not have the proper license plate. Beam said as he started to take actions to impound the truck, he noticed an odor

of marijuana.

Richmond’s dog, Heros, also alerted to the odor of drugs coming from inside the truck.

During a search of the vehicle, police said they found several concealed prescription medication pills, including hydrocodone, and 35 grams of marijuana in

a backpack.

Watson was booked into the Jennings County Jail, where he is being held without bond.