11 pounds of marijuana, handguns found in vehicle, police say

BEMIDJI - A Michigan man faces charges after 11 pounds of marijuana and three loaded handguns were seized Friday during a traffic stop, authorities said.

Richard Jay Barbour, 62, of Spring Lake, Mich., appeared Tuesday in Beltrami County Court. He is charged with fifth-degree possession of a controlled substance.

A Minnesota State Patrol trooper stopped Barbour for speeding at about 6 a.m. Friday on Highway 2, court documents say. The trooper learned the state of Michigan had a court order for Barbour’s apprehension for a mental health evaluation.

The Ottawa County Sheriff’s Office in Michigan informed Minnesota law enforcement that Barbour had been involved in a domestic dispute and two handguns were missing from a Michigan residence, according to a statement of probable cause. The trooper arranged for Barbour to be transported to a Bemidji hospital.

While a Beltrami County deputy drove Barbour’s vehicle to the hospital, the deputy smelled fresh marijuana, court documents say. During a search, three loaded .40-caliber handguns were found, one of them under the driver’s seat. Also found were 12 Ziploc bags containing about 11 pounds of marijuana, authorities said.

Barbour was being held in the Beltrami County Jail with a Monday court appearance scheduled.