HADDAM, Conn. – Three people have been arrested on drug charges after a trooper found 27 pounds of marijuana in their car.

The three were traveling in a 1994 Jeep Cherokee shortly before 4 a.m. Thursday when state police pulled them over for an equipment violation.

A trooper who walked toward the car said there was a strong odor of marijuana and the driver appeared to be under the influence of alcohol or drugs. Trooper Chris Hope then checked the car and found the load of marijuana as well as $24,000 in cash, state police said.

All three – Jason Argersinger, 20, of Deep River; Kyle T. Hargraves, 20, of Deep River; and Keith T. Cook, 25, of Bar Harbor, Maine, – were charged with possession of marijuana, possession with intent to sell and possession of over 1 kilogram.

Argersinger, the driver, was also charged with driving under the influence. All three were being held on $50,000 bond pending a court appearance.