THOMASVILLE — A former employee of a U.S. 19 South store had been restricted from being at the business earlier in the day when he returned Monday night, according to reports.

Police were notified before 9 p.m. that Kwantreus Jshon Duncan had returned to the Dollar Store. Officers stopped the Hyundai Duncan was driving as the car was about to enter U.S. 19.

When the odor of marijuana was detected in the vehicle, the suspect told police there were no drugs in the car, and he would not allow officers to search the car, a Thomasville Police Department incident report states.

A police canine conducted an open-air search of the Hyundai, alerted on the odor of narcotics, and the car was searched.

In the console, officers found two plastic bags filled with white pills. Also found in the console were four pill bottles. Two bottles contained what appeared to be prescription medication, the incident report states.

A loaded Taurus 9mm handgun with an extended magazine was found under the driver’s seat.

A fanny pack found in the back seat — after a child seat was removed — contained digital scales, a bag containing marijuana and a second bag containing an unidentified substance. Also in the fanny pack were several unidentified pills, as well as a powder substance and a vile of THC oil, the active ingredient in marijuana.

The incident report stated Duncan was handcuffed but did not want to walk to the transport vehicle, because he was talking to his mother, who had arrived on scene.

Duncan admitted the drugs were his during questioning Tuesday morning at the Thomas County/Thomasville Narcotics/Vice Division, said Commander Louis Schofill.

The suspect, 21, of 306 Simeon St., is charged with three counts of possession of Schedule I substances, including molly, ecstasy and THS oil, possession of a firearm during the commission of a crime, misdemeanor marijuana possession and possession of a drug-related object.

Senior reporter Patti Dozier can be reached at (229) 226-2400, ext. 1820