According to authorities, two men were recently pulled over for allegedly speeding by Maryland State Police Troopers. The duo was traveling north of Westminster, Maryland, on Route 97 near Old Hanover Pike in a Toyota SUV when they were stopped by police. The police report indicated that the troopers on the scene were suspicious of the two men and had a K9 unit come to the scene. Supposedly, the specially-trained dog found enough illegal drugs for the two men to be charged with marijuana possession.

A search of the vehicle yielded drug paraphernalia and two loaded guns, state troopers claim. On top of these items, police found black jackets, stockings and ski masks. Police believe the two men may have been involved in criminal activity around the area.

The loaded firearms allegedly discovered in the vehicle were a Springfield semiautomatic .45 caliber handgun and a Springfield semiautomatic 9 mm handgun. Both had their serial numbers scratched off. Because both men had prior convictions, they were allegedly violating state law which prohibits anyone with a conviction from possessing any ammunition or weapons.

The two men -- a 40-year-old man from Dumfries, Virginia, and a 32-year-old man from Washington, D.C. -- have been charged with having a handgun on their person, removing a handgun identification number, being a felon in possession of a handgun, possession of marijuana and possession of drug paraphernalia.

There was no mention on if police had authorization to search the vehicle or if a search warrant was issued. It is important that the men's legal rights are respected, and that any criminal trial does not start with the deck stacked against them because of prior convictions.

Source: Eldersburg Patch, "State Police Arrest Two Convicted Felons for Possession of Drugs, Guns in Carroll County," Valerie Bonk, Dec. 10, 2011