Police Charge 2 with Possessing Meth after Traffic Stop

Lexington Police arrested a Swansea man and a Lexington man Friday after finding methamphetamine in their truck during a traffic stop, according to an incident report. 

Gregory Wayne Malone, 28, of Swansea and Raymond Scott Nicholson Jr., 20, of Lexington are both charged with possessing meth.

Malone is also charged with possessing meth near a school because he was only .13 miles from Lexington Middle School when he was stopped. He is also facing an unlawful weapon charge.

An officer stopped Malone on Azaela Drive near North Lake Drive around 6:45 p.m. when he noticed that Malone's license tag on his GMC pickup truck was upside down, according to the report. 

When Malone opened his glove box to get his registration and proof of insurance, the officer saw a black handgun, according to the report. Malone does not have a concealed weapons permit, so the officer seized the gun. The officer also took Malone's silver folding knife. 

A police dog sniffed the truck and found drugs, according to the report. Officers seized a film canister containing a white rock-like substance and a ziploc bag containing a white powdery substance. Both substances tested positive for meth. 

Nicholson, who was riding in the back seat of the vehicle, was also charged with possession of meth due to the location where the drugs were found in the truck, according to the report. 

Officers also seized more than $2,000 they found in Malone's wallet and pocket because it was found near the drugs, according to the report. 

Malone was booked at the Lexington County Detention Center but was released on bond. Nicholson is being held on a $5,000 bond.