FRANKLIN—A driver who was unable to speak clearly found himself under arrest Saturday, when officers realized his muffled speech was the result of his hiding a plastic bag full of crack cocaine in his mouth, according to police reports.

Police stopped Joseph Clenton Everett Jr., 51, of Wilson Street in Franklin after they noticed a traffic violation, said Lt. T.W. Whitt, a spokesman for the city’s police department.

While speaking with the suspect, officers noted that Everett’s speech was muffled, and they saw something in his mouth. When they persuaded him to spit out the object, they found a plastic bag with several rocks of crack cocaine, Whitt said.

Everett was arrested on a charge of possession of cocaine and taken to Western Tidewater Regional Jail. Investigating officers were Cpl. J.L. Hawks and patrol officers Q.M. Livingston and C.A. Fellers.

Another traffic stop on Saturday, this one the result of a tip, led to the arrest of a Franklin man on his 32nd birthday, as well as his passenger.

Police Cpl. J.P Unser and Cpl. R.T. Harvey stopped a Lexus sedan on Rosewood Avenue after receiving information that Marquise Lamont Jones, of Washington Avenue, was wanted on a parole violation for several counts of cocaine distribution, Whitt said Monday.

He was arrested for the parole violation at the scene of the traffic stop, and his vehicle was searched, leading police to find and retrieve numerous plastic bags containing cocaine and marijuana. He was subsequently charged with possession of cocaine with intent to distribute and possession of marijuana with intent to distribute.

The passenger, 32-year-old Travis Myrick of Cobb Street, was also arrested. Myrick was charged with possession of cocaine with intent to distribute, possession of marijuana with intent to distribute and possession of marijuana.

Along with the drugs, several hundred dollars in cash was seized, as well as the vehicle Jones was operating.

Both men were taken to Western Tidewater Regional Jail and held without bond.