Wilmington-Delaware Probation and Parole, and Delaware State Police have arrested a Wilmington man after a traffic stop led to the discovery of a loaded handgun and marijuana yesterday.

On Wednesday, January 18, 2017, at approximately 1:45 am, members of the Governor’s Task Force (G.T.F. is a joint operation between Delaware Probation & Parole and Delaware State Police) were on patrol in the area of South Market Street just south of Wilmington. During that time G.T.F. officers observed a 2006 Mercury Mariner traveling in a northbound direction at a high rate of speed. A traffic stop was conducted on the vehicle, and officers made contact with Keith L. Howell, 37. Officers smelled a strong odor of marijuana coming from inside the vehicle, so Howell was asked to exit the car. After exiting the car, a pat down search was conducted for officer safety. During that search, G.T.F. members observed that Howell appeared to be attempting to conceal something under his jacket, that something was loaded Glock 9mm handgun, which he tuck under his arm. G.T.F. members also located 2 grams of marijuana in Howell’s pants pocket.