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VIDALIA, La. — Vidalia Police recently uncovered a little over two pounds of marijuana during a traffic stop last week.

On Wednesday, Feb. 26, narcotics officer Lt. Mark Davis observed a vehicle with no license plate along Carter Street. As he attempted to make a traffic stop, the driver quickly exited his vehicle and went inside the restroom of a local eatery.

After detaining him, a search of his vehicle yielded over two pounds of marijuana and a digital scale. The subject was identified as Marcus Washington Jr., 26, of Ferriday.

The arrest on Wednesday was Washington’s eighth arrest for a possession of marijuana charge, and he had been convicted at least twice on such charges, investigator Sam King said. King added that he is unsure of the other case dispositions.

“Most those arrests were from Texas where he’d been staying, but he’s from Ferriday,” King said. He added that Washington’s previous marijuana arrests were on Sept. 28, 2016; Feb. 2, 2017; April 6, 2017; July 11, 2017; Oct. 5, 2018; Oct. 15, 2018; and Dec. 22, 2021.

In addition to the marijuana charges, he had been charged with unlawful carrying of weapons, evading arrest, resisting an officer, providing false information or identity, criminal trespass, criminal mischief, evading arrest with a vehicle or flight from an officer, assault, possession of a firearm while in possession of a controlled dangerous substance, no driver’s license and no seat belt.

Washington was charged Wednesday with no driver’s license, no license plate, failure to register a vehicle and possession of marijuana with intent to distribute. His bond was set at $40,700.