DETROIT, United States — A Detroit man who was selling marijuana from a vending machine outside his home, has been held by US police on illegal possession of gun charges.

He has been identified as Marcus Cornwell.

According to reports, Cornwell was making US$2000 a day for the past five years selling marijuana from the machine. He said it was his primary source of income.

A Detroit Metro Times news report said agents with the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives were tipped off on January 7, a day after a popular TikTok video of the machine was posted.

The agents later executed a search warrant at Cornwell’s home on March 16, during which 18 guns, several rounds of ammunition, pounds of marijuana and over US$12,700 in cash were seized.

Cornwell, who was convicted of six felonies between 1997 and 2011, including armed robbery, identity theft, and multiple gun charges, said he was aware he is not allowed to possess firearms, the report said.

He claimed that most of the guns were purchased off the street, however, further checks revealed that at least two of the guns had been reported as stolen.

Charged with being a felon in possession of a firearm, Cornwell could face up to 10 years in prison.

He was released from jail on a US$10,000 unsecured bond during an April 28 court hearing. The conditions of his release include not operating a vending machine.

He will return to court on May 19.