A 72-year-old Minden man was arrested after police said he swallowed two small bags containing a substance consistent in appearance with crack cocaine during a traffic stop.
According to a Minden Police Department report, an officer was patrolling Sheppard Street near Fort Street when a white Cadillac SUV allegedly failed to stop at the posted stop sign at the intersection.
Police initiated a traffic stop at Fort and Hardy streets and identified the driver as Bobbie Ray Johnson, 72, of Minden.
Johnson reportedly told the officer he slowed down but did not see any vehicles coming, so he continued through the stop sign.
During the stop, the officer reportedly observed Johnson sweating excessively, avoiding eye contact, and appearing to have something in his mouth that affected his speech. Johnson was asked to exit the vehicle and was advised of his Miranda rights.
Police asked Johnson whether he had anything illegal on his person or inside the vehicle. He reportedly said he did not.
According to the report, Johnson repeatedly kept his head down while continuing to speak as though something was in his mouth. When asked what was in his mouth, Johnson partially opened it and said he had nothing.
The officer then reportedly observed two small plastic bags on Johnson’s tongue containing a white, rock-like substance consistent in appearance with crack cocaine.
Police said Johnson abruptly jerked his head backward and swallowed the packages.
Johnson was placed in handcuffs and asked what the bags contained. He reportedly refused to answer.
Johnson was arrested on charges of felony obstruction of justice and stop-sign and yield-sign violations. His vehicle was left at the scene for his brother to retrieve.
Upon arrival at the police department, Johnson was evaluated by Advanced Ambulance personnel, who checked his vital signs.
All subjects are considered innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.