Evanston Police Department officers found two men in possession of cannabis, cash and a handgun on Jan 11 during a check for a speeding violation.

According to a department news release, an officer observed a silver Chrysler van traveling southbound on Dodge Ave., going 40 miles per hour in a 25 zone. The officer stopped the vehicle and driver for the speeding violation.

The officer made contact with the driver and detected an odor of cannabis from inside the vehicle, eventually requesting assistance from a K-9 unit. The subsequent search of the vehicle led to the recovery of a black backpack containing seven grams of cannabis and 127 grams of cannabis oil, according to the release. Additionally, officers found a gray backpack containing $2,500 cash, a trace amount of cannabis and a loaded handgun.

Both the driver and passenger were arrested by officers and admitted to possessing the backpacks and their contents. The driver was cited for speeding and charged with possession of cannabis, while the other passenger was charged with unlawful possession of a handgun.

Email: [email protected]
Twitter: @kristinakarisch