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This drug seizure by the Hay River RCMP on May 13 included marijuana in a variety of packaging and a marijuana pipe, commonly referred to as a bong. - photo courtesy of Hay River RCMP

HAY RIVER - A Hay River teenager is facing two charges of trafficking marijuana.

On May 13, Antonio Mennillo, 19, of Hay River was charged with one count of trafficking marijuana and one count of possession for the purpose of trafficking.

According to the Hay River RCMP, those charges were laid after a little more than a pound of marijuana was seized, as well as a small amount of cash, as the result of a traffic stop on the Mackenzie Highway in Hay River.

"It was a traffic stop that was initiated under the Motor Vehicle Act," said Const. Travis Gallant of the Hay River RCMP. "It wasn't drug related at the outset."

Gallant declined to say where exactly the drugs were located.

"After the first incident, we received new information and a new investigation was started," Gallant said.

That separate investigation resulted in another seizure of marijuana on May 14 and a second charge of trafficking marijuana against Mennillo.

While the second charge was laid on May 14, the incident which led to the charge is alleged to have happened between April 30 and May 11.

The accused, who has been released from custody, is scheduled to appear in Territorial Court in Hay River on July 15.