Minden neighbors Stephen Garland, 53, and Elizabeth Coker, 31, both residing in the 300 block of Garland Drive, were arrested on drug-related charges on April 11, following a routine patrol by Minden police officers in the area of Sheppard Street.
Sergeant Cayer initiated a traffic stop after observing a white GMC Envoy operating on Sheppard Street without a license plate. Upon making contact with the driver, identified as Elizabeth Coker, Cayer discovered that Coker was waiting for the title to come in for the vehicle. There was another passenger in the front seat and Stephen Garland, the rear passenger, also in the vehicle.
Upon checking all subjects for warrants, Sergeant Cayer instructed Officer Brown to have Coker step to the front of the patrol unit. Coker, initially hesitant, was asked to place her purse on the hood of the unit for a safety check. Inside the purse, suspected methamphetamine in a plastic wrap and a glass pipe with suspected methamphetamine residue were discovered. Coker was then taken into custody without incident.
Subsequently, Officer Brown had Garland step out of the vehicle, during which a glass pipe with suspected methamphetamine residue was discovered in plain sight on the seat where Garland had been sitting. Garland was also taken into custody without incident. A search of the vehicle revealed a backpack containing a small plastic container with suspected methamphetamine and various prescription pills.
Coker and Garland were transported to the Minden City Police Department. Coker was charged with possession of a schedule II (meth), possession of drug paraphernalia, and failure to register. Garland was charged with possession of a schedule II (meth), possession of drug paraphernalia, and possession of legend drugs. The vehicle was towed for failure to register.
Both suspects were transferred to the Bayou Dorcheat Correctional Center.