A routine traffic stop led to the arrest of a Newman man on marijuana charges Wednesday.

Rainer Krause, 29, was charged with suspicion of cultivation, possession for sale and transportation of marijuana after Newman police say they found more than a dozen mature marijuana plants growing in his back yard.

The incident began when Krause was stopped on the 1500 block of N Street for a vehicle code violation. He was driving without a license. During a search of Krause's vehicle, police found bags of marijuana packaged for sale.

Officers searched the suspect's residence on the 600 block of Lady Slipper Lane and found the mature plants in the back yard, as well as a firearm inside the home, they say.

Authorities ask anyone with information about the case to contact officer Edgar Gonzalez at (209) 862-2902.