Berkeley Co. officers arrest man on multiple drug and weapons charges

BERKELEY COUNTY, S.C. (WCSC) – The Berkeley County Sheriff’s Office has arrested a man on drug trafficking charges following a traffic stop.

John Michael Tablas, 50, is charged with trafficking methamphetamine more than 28 grams but less than 100 grams and two counts of possession of a firearm during the commission of a violent crime.

Cpl. Carli Carr said officers conducted a traffic stop on Tablas after determining what he was driving was a suspicious vehicle.

He was seen leaving Prime Storage around 1 a.m. Friday. They contacted Tablas, where they noticed locksmith tools, drills and headlamps. They also noticed small plastic bags containing medication in the backseat behind Tablas’ seat.

The officers asked for his consent to search his vehicle. He responded that they could search him, but not his vehicle.

A K9 was asked by deputies to conduct a free air sniff. K9 Gery responded to the scene with his handler displaying a positive alert.

They continued to search his vehicle and found a black bag.

In the black bag, officers found a scale with white powder residue as well as bags that suggested the sale of narcotics, a pope with methamphetamine residue and a black magnetic box with a combination lock. There were approximately 45 gross grams of methamphetamine in the magnetic box.

They also found a .45 caliber 1911 handgun and a .380 caliber Thunder handgun, according to Cpl. Carli Carr.

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