Two men were arrested Wednesday on separate traffic stops after police officers detected the smell of marijuana coming from their cars.
In both instances, other illegal drugs or firearms were found.
Ruston Police arrested a West Monroe man early Wednesday morning after stopping a vehicle far and equipment violation.
About midnight, a Toyota Forerunner was stopped on La. Highway 33 for an equipment violation. The experienced officer detected the odor of raw marijuana coming from the car.
The driver said she had no knowledge of any marijuana in the car, but the passengers might have some. A back seat passenger, Deon Tribble, 22, was questioned and he handed over a plastic baggie containing raw marijuana. The man identified himself at the time as Dee Miles.
As the patrol officer walked back to his vehicle, Tribble fled from the vehicle. A search of the vehicle revealed a Saint .223 short barreled rifle with a round in the chamber where Tribble had been sitting. The magazine was found under the seat.
A short time later, a caller reported a man matching Tribble’s description had requested a ride and was dropped off at the Cooktown Road Waffle House. The man was taken into custody.
The suspect was later identified as Tribble, who said he fled because he was a convicted felon and knew the firearm was in the back seat.
Tribble was convicted of felony manufacture and distribution of a Schedule I controlled substance earlier this year. He was booked for possession of a firearm by a convicted felon, resisting an officer by giving a false name and by flight, and possession of marijuana. Bail was set at $22,000.
A New Orleans man was arrested in Grambling later Wednesday after officers smelled marijuana holder of marijuana coming from his vehicle on a traffic stop.
Willie F. Holmes, IV, 19, was stopped for a moving violation Wednesday night by Grambling Police.
When officers approached the car and the driver lowered the window, a very strong odor of marijuana was detected by officers. Holmes was asked if he had anything illegal in the vehicle and he replied no. A search located a bag containing suspected marijuana, promethazine cough syrup in a prescription bottle with the name removed, and digital scales.
Holmes admitted the bag was his. He was arrested and booked for possession of marijuana, possession of a Schedule V controlled substance (promethazine), and possession of drug paraphernalia. Bail on the drug charges was set at $5500.
Holmes is also being held on two bench warrants for failure to appear in court. Additional information on those charges was unavailable at the time of this report.
This information has been provided by a law enforcement agency as public information. Persons named or shown in photographs or video as suspects in a criminal investigation, or arrested and charged with a crime, have not been convicted of any criminal offense and are presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.
