JASPER COUNTY, S.C. () – Deputies from the Jasper County Sheriff’s Office (JCSO) made significant arrests and and seized a firearm with illegal modifications during a recent traffic stop.

According to JCSO, the routine traffic stop procedure found one vehicle emanating an odor of marijuana, which led to a hand search of said vehicle.

During the search, one passenger attempted to flee the scene on foot but was swiftly apprehended by deputies. The individual had two active warrants from the Hardeeville Police Department and the Columbia Police Department.

In the vehicle, deputies discovered a pistol equipped with an illegal conversion device known as a “switch”, which transforms a semiautomatic firearm into a fully automatic weapon. The driver was arrested on multiple charges, including simple Possession of Marijuana and Possession of a Machine Gun.

The case has been referred to the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) for further investigation.