FRANKLIN, Pa. — Authorities say a Franklin man was charged following an undercover drug sting Wednesday at the U.S. Post Office in Franklin.

Franklin Police Department filed the following charges against 40-year-old Wesley Steven Watson:

• Manufacture, Delivery, or Possession With Intent to Manufacture or Deliver, Felony
• Use/Possession Of Drug Paraphernalia, Misdemeanor
• Int. Possession Controlled Substance By Person Not Registered, Misdemeanor

The charges stem from an undercover drug sting conducted by Franklin Police Patrolman Wheeling with the assistance of the Pennsylvania Attorney General’s Office, members of the Region 7 Drug Task Force, and the United States Postal service.

A criminal complaint filed by Patrolman Wheeling indicates he was notified Tuesday by a United States Postal Service inspector that the Franklin Post Office had received a package of suspected marijuana addressed to Wesley S. Watson.

Because the package was too large to fit in his mailbox, a note was left for Watson to pick it up at the post office.

Watson arrived at the post office on Wednesday and was issued the package.

As Watson attempted to depart, he was then stopped by the authorities in the front lobby area.

Watson confirmed that the package was his and it contained marijuana. He then gave the police consent to open the package.

According to the criminal complaint, the package was opened by the postal inspector while Patrolman Wheeling observed.

The package contained over 30 grams of marijuana, according to the criminal complaint.

The criminal complaint states that Watson told police that “once he had the package of marijuana in his possession, he was directed to contact other person(s) for the purpose of dispensing or distributing the marijuana.”

Watson remains free on $15,000.00 unsecured bail.

He faces a preliminary hearing at 8:30 a.m. on August 2 with Judge Andrew F. Fish presiding.