A North Charleston man was arrested Friday after officers allegedly found nearly half a gram of suspected Cocaine Base during a patrol targeting narcotics activity.

A North Charleston Police Department (NCPD) officer, just before 10 a.m., was patrolling behind a business located at 2704 Ashley Phosphate Road in response to ongoing reports of drug-related activity. During the patrol, the officer observed a man allegedly smoking an unknown substance from a homemade pipe, which was believed to be consistent with illegal drug use.

The suspect was identified as Walter DeLeon Lopez, 40, of North Charleston. The officer made contact with Lopez and conducted a probable cause search.

During the search, officers reportedly recovered approximately 0.10 grams of a white rock-like substance from Lopez's front pants pocket. The substance field-tested presumptively positive for cocaine base. A second clear plastic bag containing an additional 0.38 grams of a similar substance was allegedly found inside Lopez's wallet. That substance also field-tested presumptively positive for cocaine base.

The combined weight of the suspected cocaine base was approximately 0.48 grams, according to police.

Lopez was charged with Possession of Cocaine Base and taken to the Al Cannon Detention Center.