WEBSTER PARISH, La. (KSLA) — A Georgia man is behind bars in Webster Parish after authorities seized nearly a quarter of a million dollars in marijuana during a traffic stop.
The incident began on March 18, when deputies with the Webster Parish Sheriff’s Office stopped a truck pulling a camper trailer on I-20 near the Dixie Inn exit. Deputies had pulled over the vehicle around 10 a.m. for an unspecified traffic violation. While speaking to the driver, 65-year-old Joseph Harper Jr. from Sylvania, Ga., and his passenger, deputies noticed discrepancies in their story, prompting them to call in Louisiana State Police and request a K-9 unit.
K-9 Migo quickly alerted officers to the presence of drugs in the camper. According to authorities, Harper then admitted to having a large amount of marijuana inside the vehicle and also disclosed that he was carrying a handgun.
A search of the camper uncovered several duffle bags containing approximately 150 pounds (more than 4,000 grams) of high-grade marijuana, valued at roughly $225,000. The drugs, along with the firearm, were seized by authorities.
Harper was arrested and booked into the Bayou Dorcheat Correctional Center on charges of:
Possession with intent to distribute a Schedule I narcotic (marijuana)
Possession of a firearm in the presence of a controlled dangerous substance
Unspecified traffic violation
His bond was set at $275,000.
An investigation into the situation is ongoing as authorities work to uncover further details.
