On August 13, 2021, at approximately 9:42 PM deputies assigned to the Uniform Patrol Bureau, conducted a property check of the Pilot service station located at 2015 W. Lucas Street n Florence, SC when a commercial passenger bus arrived on the premises. When in close proximity to the bus deputies detected the odor of marijuana coming from the bus. Deputies obtained permission from the driver of the bus to allow a narcotics detecting canine to conduct a free air sniff and the canine alerted to the odor of narcotics on a large black suitcase. A probable cause search of the suitcase resulted in the discovery of approximately 20 pounds of marijuana packaged in approximately 20 clear vacuumed sealed plastic bags(see attached photograph). In a separate bag deputies located a handgun with multiple magazines. No one on the bus claimed ownership of either bag, and they were transported to the FCSO evidence facility.
