Two Hays men were arrested early Wednesday morning on drug charges in Russell at the Wichita and Ash Streets intersection.

According to the Russell Police Department, Darin Mewhinney was stopped for a traffic violation about 4a.m. and subsequently arrested for an illegal expired vehicle tag, driving while suspended and no proof of insurance.

Mewhinney was then also charged for possession of methamphetamine with intent to distribute and possession of paraphernalia.   He was transported to the Russell County jail.

While waiting for a tow service to pick up Mewhinney’s vehicle  for impounding, police arrested the vehicle passenger for possession of a controlled substance after a bag containing an illegal substance was discovered.   Otto Chew, also of Hays, was transported to the Russell County Sheriff’s office for processing.