The smell of nearly a pound of pot tipped off Georgia State Patrol Corporal Paul Waller during a traffic stop in Rayle Sunday. A traffic stop for speeding turned into a sizable drug bust Sunday when Georgia State Patrol Corporal Paul R. Waller stopped a speeding van on U.S. 78 in Rayle.

Waller initially stopped the van for speeding 56 mph in a 40 mph zone, and was planning on giving the driver a warning. As Waller approached the Ford van, however, he smelled the distinctive odor of marijuana. An Oglethorpe County Sheriff's K-9 unit responded to assist since neither Wilkes County nor Washington K-9 units were available.

The Oglethorpe K-9 alerted strongly on the vehicle and a search revealed nearly a pound - 13.8 ounces - of marijuana stashed in a hidden compartment.

The two occupants, Aaron Alexander, 35, and Tracy Hawes, 34, both of Augusta, were both charged with felony possession of marijuana with intent to distribute.