EDWARD — An Edward man is in custody on drug and illegal firearm possession charges.

Thursday night, Beaufort County Sheriff’s Office Drug Unit arrested Jamale Antwan Stilley, 33, of N.C. Highway 33 East, Edward, after Stilley attempted to elude investigators during a traffic stop and leading them on a short car chase, according to a press release from the sheriff’s office.

The release stated that investigators spotted Stilley, who was wanted on a probation violation, driving a silver Hyundai on Main Street in Edward. At the time, investigators were conducting surveillance on residences reported to be involved in drug use and distribution. According to the release, Stilley refused to stop when investigators attempted to pull him over, but the chase ended at a local convenience store.

“At the parking lot, he turned and tried to squeeze into the Veri Quick. There were pedestrians there. It was very dangerous for him and the pedestrians,” said Lt. Russell Davenport, head of the Drug Unit. “He decided to stop when we all got into the parking lot.”

Davenport said as Stilley pulled into the parking lot, however, he attempted to throw a firearm out the window of the vehicle.

“The window was rolled down. During his attempt to throw it out, it hit the passenger window frame and bounced back in,” Davenport said.

Davenport said investigators found the Ruger LCP 380 caliber pistol on the front passenger seat, along with digital scales. A search of Stilley turned up five bags of cocaine, nine Alprazolam pills — a prescription drug used to treat anxiety disorders — and marijuana, Davenport said.

Davenport described Stilley as very cooperative when he was in custody.

Stilley was charged with possession with intent to sell and deliver cocaine, possession with intent to sell and deliver Alprazolam, a Schedule IV controlled substance, possession of marijuana, possession of drug paraphernalia, flee to elude arrest, possession of a firearm by a convicted felon and felony probation violation, and was held at the Beaufort County Detention Center under a $40,000 secured bond.

Davenport gave credit to the residents of Edward and Aurora who keep the drug unit alerted to possible drug use and distribution in the area.

“They say, ‘We don’t ever see you in Aurora and Edward,’ but we’re down there a lot in a covert capacity,” Davenport said. “They don’t always see us, but we’re down there.”