A routine traffic stop on March 17 along the 6700 block of Grand National Drive turned into a felony case after officers say they pulled a gun, drugs, and distribution gear from a vehicle. Police identified the driver as Jermaine Thomas and say a search turned up a 9mm handgun, drug‑distribution paraphernalia, and a backpack holding what they describe as a felony amount of cannabis, leading to multiple felony charges.
On March 17th, officers conducted a traffic stop in the 6700 block of Grand National Drive and made contact with the driver, Jermaine Thomas.
— Orlando Police (@OrlandoPolice) April 27, 2026
During the investigation, officers developed probable cause to search the vehicle.
During the search, a 9mm handgun in the center… pic.twitter.com/D6Anq7jNX5
Police: Search Turned Up Handgun, Scale and Baggies
According to Orlando Police, officers made contact with the driver during the stop and developed probable cause to search the vehicle. Inside the center console, they say they found a loaded 9mm handgun, a digital scale, and small plastic baggies commonly associated with drug distribution. The department’s post adds that a backpack inside the car held a felony amount of cannabis. Police say Thomas was arrested and charged in connection with the seizure.
Where It Happened and Why Location Matters
Grand National Drive sits in the International Drive corridor, a busy stretch of Orlando packed with hotels, restaurants, and other commercial spots. That detail is not just geographic trivia. One of the counts listed in the case alleges possession with intent to sell within 1,000 feet of a business, which can affect the severity of charges under state law.
The City of Orlando has recently poured money into capacity and safety upgrades along Grand National Drive as part of a multi‑phase improvement project, highlighting the corridor’s importance as a high‑traffic commercial route. City of Orlando has publicized the street improvements, while local coverage has documented similar traffic stops around Orlando that have turned up firearms and packaged cannabis in other cases, showing how patrol work in commercial corridors often ends with trafficking or weapons charges. FOX 35 Orlando
Legal Context for the Charges
Under Florida law, selling or possessing controlled substances with the intent to sell is a criminal offense, and having a firearm involved in another felony can trigger separate, enhanced charges. The state’s controlled‑substances statute spells out prohibited acts and penalties tied to the amount of drugs, intent, and location, while the weapons statute addresses crimes that involve firearms during the commission of other offenses.
Together, these laws give prosecutors several charging options, depending on factors such as drug quantity, whether the alleged conduct happened near certain protected locations, and any prior criminal history. Florida Statutes, Chapter 893 and Chapter 790
Charges and Processing
Per the Orlando Police post, Thomas faces several counts, including violation of probation (out of county), possession of cannabis with intent to sell or deliver with a weapon, possession of a firearm in the commission of a felony, possession of cannabis within 1,000 feet of a business with intent to sell, and possession of drug paraphernalia. Those are the charges listed by the department in its social media summary of the stop and seizure.
Further booking information, including any formal charging documents and court dates, will appear in public court or jail records as the case advances. Prosecutors will ultimately decide which charges to file.
What Police Say Next
The department’s summary of the incident was posted on X on April 27. Orlando Police did not include details about the bond or a court date in that post. We will continue to monitor public records and local filings for updates as the case moves through the Orange County system.
