A Moncks Corner man was arrested Monday on drug charges following a traffic stop conducted by officers with the North Charleston Police Department (NCPD).

At approximately 10:45 a.m., an officer patrolling near the Siesta Motor Lodge on Rivers Avenue observed a vehicle enter the motel parking lot. The officer recognized one of the occupants from previous trespassing and drug-related incidents.

Motel management requested that both occupants be issued written trespass notices after they allegedly ignored prior verbal warnings to leave from management and law enforcement. A backup officer was called to assist before the vehicle left the parking lot and was stopped nearby.

While officers were issuing the trespass notices, they observed the passenger acting nervously and repeatedly smoking cigarettes. When the passenger was asked to step out of the vehicle, officers reportedly saw several needles in plain view on the passenger side. The needles appeared to contain residue consistent with drug use, prompting officers to conduct a probable-cause search of the vehicle.

During the search, officers located a backpack in the back seat. Inside the backpack, they found a small coin pouch containing a gray bottle. The bottle held a plastic bag containing approximately 1.6 grams of a crystal-like substance that field-tested presumptive positive for Methamphetamine.

Additional items found inside the backpack, including paperwork bearing the driver's name, linked the bag to the driver. The passenger was released without charges.

The driver, identified as 69-year-old John David Lee was arrested and charged with Possession with Intent to Distribute Methamphetamine. He was transported to the Al Cannon Detention Center.