Arkansas State Police Interstate Criminal Patrol Episode #3| K-9 "BEAU" Alerts on Drug Mules WEED!!!

"APA NEW PROCESS":***The suspect's upcoming court information is attached at the conclusion of the video. The Police Report is at the start of the video and also beneath this message.***

On Thursday, June 15, 2023, at 10:50 am, I observed a gray suburban speeding as it was traveling eastbound on I-40 near the 4 mile marker. It passed me as I sat stationary on the right shoulder, and passed numerous vehicles in the left lane as I caught up to it. As I got close to the vehicle, I was able to pace the vehicle at 78 mph, even after it had slowed down a bit, and observed the license plate to be expired in May. I stopped the vehicle near the 6 mile marker. I made contact with the occupants, and identified the driver as the husband of the owner

Both occupants were very nervous, and Serra immediately began to argue he wasn’t speeding because he had his cruise control on. I could see numerous cardboard boxes and trash bags in the rear cargo area, and I was fairly certain I could see a vacuum sealed marijuana bundle through the handle hole in one of the boxes, but I couldn’t swear that’s what it was. I had Serra exit. Reyes stated he thought they were going to Okmulgee, OK. When I told him they were passed that, he said he had no idea where they were going. Serra stated they were going to Montgomery, AL, to do some work, and Reyes was his helper. Cpl. Josh Elmore arrived to assist as I conducted NCIC checks. I asked for consent to search from Serra, and he refused. I had Reyes exit, and Cpl. Elmore ran K-9 Beau around the exterior of the vehicle.

Beau indicated the presence of drugs in theNARRATIVE202311339asp Page 3 of 3car. We then conducted a probable cause search of the vehicle. I located six large, Lowe’s boxes and two black, trash bags full of marijuana in the rear cargo area. I later located a loaded 9mm Taurus (serial #1GC09095) pistol in the outside, driver’s side pocket of the center console, right next to where Serra’s right leg had been as he was in the driver’s seat. A spare, loaded magazine and holster for the pistol were located inside the console. I arrested both men, and Cpl. Elmore transported Serra and TFC Guerra transported Reyes to the DTF office in Van Buren. DTF S/A  XXXX XXXXXX  brought Mulberry Chief of Police to drive the vehicle to the DTF office. S/A XXXXXXX  then interviewed both subjects, and seized the marijuana, gun with both loaded magazines and holster, and suburban. There was a total of 231 pounds of marijuana, which had a street value of approximately $370,000.00.Both subjects were later placed on felony holds at Crawford County Detention