Aggrostats

January 26, 2009

Troopers located more than one hundred pounds of Marijuana in an early morning traffic stop.

On Monday, January 26, 2009, Louisiana State Police – Troop I Criminal Patrol units stopped a vehicle on I-10, within St. Martin Parish, when troopers observed a 2009 Volkswagon Passat, commit a traffic violation. Troopers initiated a traffic stop on the vehicle and made contact with the driver, Philicia Hanks, of Port St. Lucie, Florida. At the same time, troopers stopped a 2009 Chrysler 300, for a traffic violation near the first traffic stop. The driver of the Chrysler 300 was identified as Keith Buford of Margate, Florida and the passenger Roy Griffen of Pembroke Pines, Florida. After speaking with both drivers, troopers were able to determine that the three were traveling together. Troopers became suspicious of their trip, when they learned that Buford had rented the Volkwagon for Hanks. Troopers then requested written consent to search the Volkswagon. Consent was granted and the subsequent search resulted in nearly 122 pounds of marijuana, located in five large bundles in the vehicle. Hanks, Buford and Griffen were arrested and transported to Region II Criminal Investigations Division (CID) Lafayette Field Office, for a follow up investigation. Agents learned that the drugs were picked up in Houston, TX and destined for Florida. All three suspects were later booked into the St. Martin Parish Correctional Center for Possession with the Intent to Distribute Marijuana. The street value of the Marijuana was approximately $122,000.00.