I-20 Drug Bust Lands Three In Jail

33-year-old Phillip E. Smith, of Houston, Texas, was driving westbound on I-20 with two passengers when a Bossier deputy stopped the vehicle for a traffic violation.  When the deputy made contact with Smith, the driver appeared very nervous.  The deputy also discovered Smith was driving with a suspended license. 

When Smith denied consent to search his vehicle, a Bossier K-9 unit conducted a sniff on the outside of the vehicle and showed a positive odor response to the vehicle.  When the deputy searched the vehicle, he found a suspected marijuana blunt, loose suspected marijuana, cigars consistent with the suspected marijuana blunt and rolling papers.  The deputy also found a handgun in the vehicle.  Smith said he didn’t know anything about the drugs, but he did admit the handgun belonged to him.

26-year-old John L. Smith, of Hemphill, Texas, and 29-year-old Monica L. Boswell, of Newport, R.I., were passengers in the vehicle with Phillip Smith.  Both of them denied the marijuana belonged to them. 

All three were arrested and transported to the Bossier Maximum Security Facility for booking.  Before transport, the deputy asked the arrestees if they had anymore marijuana on their person, and they said they didn’t.  However, after arriving at the jail for booking, deputies recovered a baggie of suspected marijuana in the backseat of the patrol unit where Phillip and John Smith were seated.  They both denied knowing about that marijuana as well.

All three were charged with possession of Schedule I (marijuana) and possession of drug paraphernalia.  Phillip and John Smith were additionally charged with introduction of contraband into a penal institution, while Phillip was also charged with illegal carry of a weapon, illegal lane change and driving under suspension. 

Their bonds are pending.