A Ville Platte man was arrested last night after troopers found cocaine in the vehicle he was driving on Interstate 10 in Calcasieu Parish, according to a State Police news release.
Shortly after 9 p.m. Wednesday, a trooper assigned to Louisiana State Police Troop D stopped a 2013 Buick Lacrosse on Interstate 10 east for a traffic violation.
Troopers requested permission to search the vehicle but the driver, 39-year-old Eric Richard of Ville Platte, refused to give consent, the news release stated.
A State Police K-9 was deployed and indicated the presence of narcotics in the vehicle, police said. During a search of the vehicle, approximately 2 pounds of powdered cocaine with an estimated street value of $74,000 was located in the vehicle.
Richard was charged with following too close, defective vehicle equipment and possession of cocaine with intent to distribute. He was booked into the Calcasieu Parish Correctional Center.
If convicted, Richard faces up to 30 years in prison and up to a $50,000 fine.
