A fake license plate led to the arrest of two people from Hope on weapons and drug-dealing charges.

A Columbus police officer noticed that a red sports car was displaying a license plate for a black passenger car at about 11:15 p.m. Tuesday night in the 800 block of Werner Avenue. When the officer talked to the occupants, he smelled a strong odor of marijuana, says Lt. Matt Harris, spokesman for the Columbus police.

The driver, 31-year-old Jermaine D. Ford was found to be wanted on an Illinois warrant and was arrested.  He was carrying more than $2,100 in cash, Harris says. A search of the car further revealed a loaded gun, a bag containing marijuana, three large bags of methamphetamine and a digital scale.

A passenger, 30-year-old Cassandra R. Absher, was also arrested and at the jail was allegedly found to be carrying methamphetamine and marijuana, Harris says.

Absher is facing preliminary charges including possession of a handgun without a license and marijuana; dealing marijuana and methamphetamine and trafficking with an inmate.

Ford was arrested on the warrant and on new charges of possession of a handgun by a serious violent felon and without a license, dealing methamphetamine and marijuana and possession of methamphetamine and marijuana.