A Butler man was arrested for felony drug and firearms possession after his apartment was searched on a warrant Thursday morning.

Butler County Drug Task Force detectives searched the 604 W. New Castle St. apartment of Jamie D. Howell around 6:30 a.m. Thursday.

No one was inside the residence, but detectives found three bags of crack cocaine, a small amount of marijuana, and a semiautomatic Ruger 9 mm pistol with a partially obliterated serial number that was reported stolen from Philadelphia.

Also found were numerous items of drug paraphernalia including scales and packaging materials, a box of .22 LR round, a semiautomatic Ruger 10-22 rifle with a detached loaded magazine, and a wallet that held ID cards of Howell.

While the search was happening, a team of police officers checked a North Chestnut Street residence that Howell had been seen frequenting earlier that morning and found the vehicle he’d been driving.

The police officers surveyed the vehicle and after a brief period of time saw Howell and two females enter the vehicle.

A traffic stop was initiated on the vehicle around 7:10 a.m. at West New Castle Street, and Howell was arrested as a person not to possess a firearm.

Upon the arrest, Howell was searched and found to have three suboxone strips, 15 Alprazolam tablets, two bags of crack cocaine, one bag of THC wax, two bags of marijuana and several items of drug paraphernalia.

Howell was charged with possession of firearm prohibited; alter/obliterate mark of identification; and three counts of manufacture, delivery or possession with intent to manufacture or deliver, all felonies.

Howell also was charged with use/possession of drug paraphernalia; marijuana-small amount personal use; and four counts of intent to possess controlled substance, all misdemeanors.

Howell has six prior felony convictions for violations of the Drug, Device and Cosmetic Act.

Howell is in Butler County Prison, unable to post the $75,000 bail that was set.

He is awaiting a preliminary hearing and preliminary arraignment, both with District Judge B.T. Fullerton.