Polk County Police found marijuana in a strange spot during a search when they smelled the drug, but the suspect involved explained it was due to his trying to toss the drugs before being pulled over during a Friday night incident in Rockmart.

Officers stopped Vernon Rodriguez Hendrix, 51, of a Bremen address, was stopped at Dunn’s Quick Stop on Atlanta Highway after officers clocked him going 72 in a 45 mph zone, and pulled him over.

An officer on the scene reported smelling marijuana coming from inside the vehicle, and suspected the driver of being under the influence. He got backup to come over, and a field sobriety test was conducted after Hendrix admitted smoking “an hour to an hour and a half before” the stop.

Police determined he was under the influence and not safe enough to drive, so took him into custody. Officers then began a search, and found the marijuana they smelled in between the hood and windshield of the Chevrolet Camaro.

Hendrix was reported to have admitting that it got into the spot outside of the vehicle when he tried to throw it out ahead of the stop. The nickel bag found was taken and turned over as evidence for the stop, and Hendrix was taken onward to the Polk County Jail.

He was charged with DUI, speeding in excess of maximum limits and a misdemeanor possession of marijuana charge. Bond was set at $1,000, and he remained in custody as of this posting.