DOWAGIAC — Two men were arrested in Dowagiac Friday night for possession of marijuana and a firearm, according to the Dowagiac Police Department.

Dowagiac Public Safety Director Steven Grinnewald reported that at approximately 7:50 p.m. Friday, officers of the Dowagiac Police Department conducted a traffic stop on a vehicle in the 100 block of Park Place for registration violation.

During the investigation of the traffic stop, officers detected a strong odor of marijuana coming from inside the vehicle. The driver admitted to officers that the occupants of the vehicle had been using marijuana inside the vehicle. All of the occupants, including the driver, were removed from the vehicle and detained.

A search of the vehicle located marijuana and items associated with the sales and distribution of marijuana. Officers also recovered a loaded semi-automatic handgun that was inside the vehicle along with a box of ammunition for the weapon.

A passenger in the vehicle, a 20-year-old Dowagiac resident, was subsequently arrested for felony possession of a firearm, possession of a concealed weapon, possession of marijuana with the intent to deliver, and possession of marijuana. A second passenger, a 21-year-old resident of Wisconsin, was arrested for possession of marijuana and maintaining a drug vehicle. This investigation is ongoing.

Both subjects are expected to be arraigned in 4th District court on Monday, March 26.