PRESS RELEASE – On September 23rd, 2018, at approximately 4:29 p.m., Corporal Chad Booth with the Lake Charles Police Department, assigned to the Combined Anti-Drug Task Force, conducted a traffic stop on a 2002 International Tow Truck on Interstate 10 EB at mile marker 23 for a traffic violation.

During the traffic stop, Corporal Booth became of suspicious the driver/owner of the tow truck, Elton Joseph Richard, 42 of Church Point, La.

Corporal Booth requested consent from Richard to conduct a search of his vehicle at which time Richard refused to provide consent. Corporal Booth allowed his K9 partner “Sam” to walk around the vehicle. K9 “Sam” alerted to the odor of narcotics in the vehicle.

During a probable cause search of the vehicle, Corporal Booth located (27) bundles of powder cocaine (approximately 63.5 pounds).

Richard was advised of his Miranda Rights and placed under arrest. Richard was booked into the Calcasieu Correctional Center on the charge of Possession of CDS II (Cocaine) over 28 grams. Richard’s bond was set at $250,000 by Judge Clayton Davis.