A Tamaqua man is facing charges following a traffic stop in Summit Hill.

Borough police said at 1:58 a.m. on June 17 officers observed a vehicle going eastbound on East Holland Street and failing to use a turn signal. A vehicle stop was made and it was indicated that the registration plate on the vehicle had expired.

The driver was identified as Michael Lloyd Gerber, 39, of 330 Wildcat Road. While speaking with Gerber police detected the odor of burned marijuana. Gerber submitted to field sobriety tests. He later submitted to a blood draw.

A search of the vehicle was conducted and found was a .40-caliber Smith & Weston handgun, 1.5 grams of a crystal-like substance, which later tested positive for methamphetamine, 12 grams of matter that tested positive for marijuana. Also found was various drug paraphernalia such a numerous “bongs,” vaporizers, grinders and straws.

Gerber was transported to St. Luke’s Miners Memorial Hospital, Coaldale, for a blood draw. The test results showed the presence of methamphetamine and marijuana. A check also revealed that Gerber does not possess a license to carry a firearm.

As a result the following charges have been filed against Gerber: firearms not to be carried without a license; possession of a controlled substance; driving under the influence of a controlled substance; possession of drug paraphernalia; possession of a small amount of marijuana; and summary offenses of turning movements and signals and expired registration.