The Picayune Police Department recovered $7,000 worth of drugs and more than $3,000 in cash earlier this month during a traffic stop.

On Sept. 3, Picayune officers recovered the cash and drugs from inside a vehicle driven by 29-year-old Phillip Farmer of 1815 19^th Ave. in Gulfport, Assistant Chief Jeremy Magri said.

At 10:27 p.m., a Picayune officer conducted the traffic stop on Interstate 59 at exit 6 for careless driving. Magri said that as the officer approached the vehicle, he could smell what he believed to be raw marijuana coming from inside. The officer asked Farmer to exit the vehicle. Magri said the driver appeared nervous so the officer called for backup. Once backup arrived, officers conducted a search of the vehicle, which led to the discovery of a large plastic bag containing a crystallized substance believed to be crystal methamphetamine inside the rear cup holder, $3,285 in cash placed along the center console and a large brown bag on the backseat, containing two large plastic bags with a green leafy substance believed to be marijuana, a large plastic bag containing a crystallized substance believed to be crystal methamphetamine, a set of digital scales and two prescription bottles containing a liquid believed to be codeine inside, Magri said.

Officers also located a .45 caliber pistol under the driver’s seat. Through further investigation, officers learned the pistol was stolen and that Farmer was driving with a suspended driver’s license, Magri said.

Farmer was charged with two counts of possession of a controlled substance with intent to distribute while in possession of a firearm, possession of a stolen firearm, misdemeanor possession of a controlled substance, possession of paraphernalia, driving while license suspended and careless driving, Magri said.

The vehicle and money were seized under the Uniform Controlled Substances Act, Magri said.