A recent traffic stop in Independence leads to a drug arrest.

The incident occurred just after midnight on Wednesday morning, when an Independence police officer conducted a traffic stop in the 300 block of East Main Street. After pulling the vehicle over for an illegal tag and defective headlights, the officer continued his investigation that led to the subsequent arrest of the driver 39-year-old Joshua Melton of Bradenton, Florida. Melton faces charges of driving under the influence, possession of marijuana and methamphetamine, and possession of drug paraphernalia.