Three Hillsboro residents were arrested in Litchfield last Thursday evening on drugs and weapons charges.

At 9:20 p.m. Thursday, April 13, a Montgomery County Sheriff's Deputy stopped a vehicle for a suspected traffic violation at the intersection of Union Avenue and Van Buren Street. Inside the vehicle were Joseph Moore, 20, Macen Weigand, 18, and Ashley White, 18, all of Hillsboro. During the stop, the deputy requested assistance from the Litchfield Police Department K-9 Unit. The dog had a positive alert on the vehicle, and the ensuing search led to the discovery of approximately three poudns of cannabis and a .40 caliber pistol.

Weigand was issued a civil citation for Possession of Cannabis and Possession of Drug Paraphernalia, and was released. Moore was charged with Aggravated Unlawful Use of a Weapon, Unlawful Posession of a Weapon by a Felon, Possession of Cannabis 500-2000 grams, and the Manufacture and Delivery of Cannabis 500-2000 grams. White was charged with Aggravated Unlawful Use of Weapons and a civil citation for Possession of Cannabis.

Moore and White were taken to the Montgomery County Jail and later bonded out.

"The Deputy's stop and his experience led to the seizure of the weapon and cannabis, which is now off our streets," Montgomery County Undersheriff Rick Robbins said in a statement. "I commend the Deputy and Litchfield K-9 Unit for their desire to go beyond a 'routine traffic stop' to keep our communities safe."