Thibodaux police say they arrested a man who tried to swallow a bag of methamphetamine during a traffic stop on Friday.
According to Thibodaux Chief of Police Bryan Zeringue, a Thibodaux Police Officer’s patrolling the Midland Community, observed a red Infiniti QX4 traveling with a burnt headlight. Once the offier made the traffic stop the driver identified as Tyrone Wright, pulled over in the 300 block of Bobby Street.
During questioning Sheriff Zeringue says his officer noticed 31-year-old Raymonte Ballard sitting in the front passenger seat and chugging a bottle of water while refusing to open his mouth to answer the officer’s questions. The officer ordered Ballard to step out of the vehicle. That is when the sheriff says the officer noticed a cellophane bag and a pack of rolling papers protruding from Ballard’s pocket.
As officer’s attempted to detain Ballard while waiting on medical personal to arrive, he allegedly began physically resisting officers according to the sheriff. Once detained, Ballard spit out a cellophane bag containing over 14 grams of suspected methamphetamine.
They also say approximately 5 grams of suspected marijuana and a digital scale were found in Ballard’s possession.
Ballard was arrested and transported to the Lafourche Parish Correctional Complex where he later posted a $22,000.00 bond. Tyrone Wright was not charged in the incident.
