Three people were arrested Monday and 54 bags of marijuana seized after narcotics detectives observed a hand to hand transaction in the parking lot of a convenience store.

Detectives Jamie Hardy and Tommy Hathaway were in the parking lot of the Roanoke Rapids Sanitary District when they observed the transaction occur across the street in the parking of Big Al's, according to Captain Andy Jackson of the Roanoke Rapids Police Department.

The observation led to the arrest of Anthony Watson, 26, of Riverview Court, Roanoke Rapids; Tyler Patrick Warren, 17, of Vance Street, Roanoke Rapids; and Tyler Baird, 18, of Aurelian Springs Road, Halifax.

Watson was charged with possession with intent to sell and deliver marijuana, maintaining a vehicle for use and distribution of narcotics and possession of drug paraphernalia. He was jailed on $4,000 secured bond and has a November 9 court date.

Warren was charged with simple possession of marijuana and possession of drug paraphernalia. He was given a $500 secured bond and has the same court date as Watson.

Baird faces the same charges as Warren and was given the same bond and court date.

The arrests took place just before 1 p.m.