Man charged with drug offenses in Bowling Green after traffic stop

BOWLING GREEN, Ky. – A Louisville man is facing multiple drug offenses in Bowling Green.

According to a uniform citation, the Warren County Sheriff’s Office observed a vehicle traveling on Morgantown Road near the intersection of Veterans Memorial Boulevard around 1 a.m. Wednesday.

Authorities say they conducted a traffic stop on the vehicle for a traffic-related offense.

While speaking with the driver, deputies say they detected a strong odor of marijuana coming form the vehicle.

The occupants, including the driver and two passengers, were asked to exit the vehicle, authorities say.

The front passenger was later identified as 23-year-old Lee Hartz of Louisville.

During a vehicle search, authorities say they located a loaded handgun, a backpack with a digital scale with marijuana residue and 15 THC resin cartridges.

The citation states Hartz “claimed ownership of the handgun and the backpack” but denied ownership of the THC cartridges.

Deputies say a criminal history check of Hartz showed he had active warrants for his arrest and was a convicted felon for a prior robbery charge.

Authorities say an additional search revealed a small bag of marijuana.

Hartz was arrested and transported to the Warren County Regional Jail.

He faces charges of trafficking in marijuana (less than 8 ounces), first offense, possession of a handgun by a convicted felon and drug paraphernalia – deliver/manufacture.