Four arrested in drug bust

Published 10:05 am Tuesday, October 25, 2011

FRANKLIN—Four men were arrested after police found a suspected quantity of marijuana and loaded .45-caliber and 9 mm pistols in the vehicle they were riding in.

Charged were Elliot D. Bottoms, 21, of 1698 Dorchester Square Apartments, C4, Steven Douglas Usher, 21, of 119 James Town Lane, and Brandon Knight, 25, 306 Stonewall St., all of Franklin; and Timothy Lee Bowers, 30, of Norfolk.

Police at 10:30 p.m. Friday stopped the driver of the 2011 Ford sport utility vehicle in the 300 block of South Street for an alleged traffic violation. Upon approaching the vehicle, the officer smelled marijuana. A search of the vehicle led to the recovery of marijuana packaged for distribution and the guns, police said.

Bottoms and Usher were charged with possession with intent to distribute marijuana and conspiracy to distribute drugs. Bowers faces the same charges in addition to carrying a concealed weapon. Knight was charged with carrying a concealed weapon.

Bottoms and Usher are free on $1,000 bond; Usher, $2,500 bond; and Bowers, $5,000 bond.