Traffic stop nets drugs, cash, carjacking suspects

By JASON WERMERS
Item Staff Writer
jwermers@theitem.com

What started as a routine traffic stop turned into a seizure of 60 grams of marijuana, 16 grams of cocaine, $1,273 cash and the arrest of two carjacking suspects Saturday evening.

A sheriff's deputy stopped a black 1991 Honda Accord after it changed langes westbound on Myrtle Beach Highway near One Mile Road without using a signal about 6:24 p.m., an arrest report says.

The driver, Andrew A. Butler, 20, of 570 One Mile Road, Gable, told the deputy the light bulb was out and that he had a new one in the car. He and the passenger, William M. Mustafa, 22, of 8060 Fullard St., Lynchburg, were arrested after a background check revealed both men had outstanding arrest warrants charging them with carjacking, according to the sheriff's office.

A search of Butler revealed $1,273 cash in his front pants pocket. Butler said the money was his mother's and that he didn't know much he was holding, the arrest report says.

When a search of Mustafa was started, a clear plastic baggy fell out of his pants leg. The baggy had two baggies of suspected marijuana, weighing 36.4 grams, and a baggy of suspected cocaine that was divided into four smaller baggies, weighing 16 grams, deputies said.

A search of the vehicle revealed 16 more baggies of suspected marijuana, weighing a total of 23.6 grams, inside a fast-food restaurant cup in the center console. Also found were 25 new sandwich baggies, a sandwich baggy box, and several more baggies that had the tops torn off, according to the arrest report.

Two baggies with white powder resideu were found inside the baggy box. A black digital scale covered in suspected cocaine residue and with a small pieces of marijuana on it was found in the glove box, the sheriff's office said.

The vehicle smelled strongly of marijuana, and pieces of marijuana were seen throughout the vehicle's carpet, according to the arrest report.

Both men's cell phones were confiscated, and they were taken to Sumter-Lee Regional Detention Center.