Passenger arrested by DTF after routine traffic stop
A routine traffic stop for an improper lane change Monday resulted in the arrest of a passenger on multiple felony charges by the local drug task force after narcotics were allegedly found.
Bo Alan Cook, 36, who lists a Hudson Street address, was taken into custody shortly after 11 a.m. and charged with possession of meth with purpose to deliver and possession of drug paraphernalia, each punishable by up to 20 years in prison, and possession of marijuana with purpose to deliver, punishable by up to six years.
Cook remained in custody
Tuesday in lieu of a $12,500 bond and is set to appear today in Garland County District Court. According to court records, he was convicted in Lonoke County on Jan. 29, 2014, of possession of drug paraphernalia and theft of property and sentenced to 12 years in prison, with six years suspended, and later paroled.
According to the probable cause affidavit, shortly after 11 a.m. Monday, Hot Springs police Officer John Albright saw a black 2008 Ford Focus traveling east on West Grand Avenue approaching Central Avenue when the driver allegedly changed lanes directly in front of Albright and another vehicle without using a turn signal.
He made a traffic stop and made contact with the female driver and her front-seat passenger, identified as Cook, who reportedly handed Albright his Arkansas ID card. While Albright was checking their IDs, Officer Blake Forga was standing by the passenger side window and Cook was apparently unaware he was there.
Forga notes Cook “began to manipulate a plastic baggie attempting to conceal it.” Forga
removed Cook from the car at that point and Cook made a spontaneous statement that the drugs belonged to him.
Cook had a search waiver on file so officers searched and allegedly found a baggie with marijuana and a second baggie containing two smaller baggies with a total of 2.6 grams of what later tested positive for meth. Under the passenger seat, they then found two more bags with more marijuana for a total of 65.4 grams.
Agents with the 18th Judicial District East Drug Task Force responded to the detention center and assumed the case, seizing the drugs.