Traffic stop leads to drug bust  

A 28-year-old Key Largo man faces numerous charges after ecstasy, marijuana, more than 30 marijuana oil cartridges and handgun ammunition were found in a sport utility vehicle he was driving early Saturday morning.

Phillip David Edwards was charged with DUI and driving without a license as well as possession of ammunition by a convicted felon, possession of marijuana with intent to distribute, possession of more than 20 grams of marijuana, possession of a controlled substance without a prescription, drug trafficking and possession of drug paraphernalia.

Upper Keys Deputy Jamie Miller was initially called to respond to a bar fight shortly after 2 a.m., but was informed the suspect, later identified as Edwards, had left in a SUV. Deputy Miller stopped the SUV on U.S. 1 near Atlantic Drive. He noted the SUV was not staying in its lane before the stop.

Edwards had bloodshot eyes and was slurring his words. He refused to participate in field sobriety exercises. Deputy Miller found $1,428 in cash in his back pocket. Edwards informed Deputy Miller he was a convicted felon.

A large, black duffel bag was found in the SUV that contained two, black Pelican cases. Inside one of the cases there was a Ziploc bag that contained nearly three ounces of what field-tested positive as marijuana. Deputy Miller also found 31 marijuana vape pen cartridges as well as another 11 similar cartridges made by a different manufacturer. The packages for the latter vape pens stated they are for medical purposes only for the residents of California.

Multiple clear baggies were found in the vehicle containing triangular pills with the Superman logo on them, which Deputy Miller identified as ecstasy pills. Six .45-caliber handgun rounds were found as well as two spoons that tested positive for cocaine residue. The pills and white powder residue were sent to the Florida Department of Law Enforcement lab for further testing.

Edwards was taken to the Monroe County Detention Center on Plantation Key.

[livemarket market_name="KONK Life LiveMarket" limit=3 category=“” show_signup=0 show_more=0]