(Police Reports - Photo Illustration/MetroCreative)

PARKERSBURG — Two men were arrested Tuesday on drug charges following a traffic stop.

The Parkersburg Narcotics Task Force reported that it conducted a traffic stop Tuesday on a vehicle on Interstate 77, near the W.Va. 2 exit.

The driver was identified as Austin Gabritch, 30, of Vienna, and the passenger as Raymond E. Preston, 19, of Columbus, Ohio. After a positive Police K-9 indication, agents searched the vehicle and ultimately located 144 grams of suspected fentanyl in a backpack, having a street value of over $17,000, the task force said.

Both subjects were arrested and transported to the Wood County Holding Center. Preston was charged with transporting fentanyl into the state and possession of fentanyl with the intent to deliver, both felonies, and received a $300,000 bond. Gabritch was charged with conspiracy to possess fentanyl with the intent to deliver, a felony, and received a $100,000 bond.

Both subjects remained incarcerated in the North Central Regional Jail on Tuesday, the task force reported.