COAL GROVE — Two people were taken to jail and more than $9,000 was seized in an early morning traffic stop Monday in Coal Grove.

Coal Grove Police Chief Eric Spurlock said officer Alfred Blevins made the traffic stop at about 4 a.m. after noticing a car swerving on U.S. 52.

Once stopped, Blevins noted in his report, there was an “overwhelming” odor of marijuana coming from the car.

After a search of the car, $9,060 was found in the purse of the driver, Tera Milam.

Marijuana was found on the passenger, Wendell Cruse. Baggies and marijuana cigarettes were also found.

Milam and Cruse were arrested and taken to the Lawrence County Jail.

The two were arraigned Thursday in Ironton Municipal Court.

Cruse, 52, of 322 East Fourth Ave., Chesapeake, was charged with felony trafficking in marijuana and misdemeanor possession of drug paraphernalia.

Cruse said he would hire his own attorney.

Milam, 28, of 411 1/2 Fifth Ave., Huntington, W.Va., was charged with felony complicity to trafficking in drugs, driving while under suspension and a marked lane violation.

Attorney Warren Morford was appointed to Milam’s case.

Judge O. Clark Collins set a $10,000 bond for both and scheduled a preliminary hearing for April 19.

Spurlock said the arrest was a good one and that these kinds of stops are becoming more frequent.

“It’s getting bad,” Spurlock said. “It seems like every night (officers) are making a stop with drugs.”

Spurlock said there was a similar stop Tuesday night that resulted in a person being cited to mayor’s court for possession of marijuana, an amount Spurlock said looked like more than for personal use.

“Our officers are doing a heck of a job,” Spurlock said.

He also said there is close to $12,000 of seized money locked up in evidence waiting to go through the court process.