Suspected Drug Trafficker Arrested in Louisiana After K-9 Unit Reportedly Discovers 90 Pounds of Marijuana in Vehicle

Louisiana - The Rapides Parish Sheriff's Office reported on November 16, 2022, that on the evening of November 15, 2022, a Woodworth Police Department K-9 unit currently assigned to the Rapides Area Drug Enforcement (RADE) Unit working Highway Interdiction conducted a traffic stop on I-49 South near Airbase Road for a minor traffic offense.

The driver and registered owner of the vehicle, later identified as Thomas Huynh, was contacted. A strong stench of marijuana was reportedly detected throughout the officer's interview. Huynh verbally consented for the officer to check the interior and trunk space of his vehicle, and officers reportedly discovered around 90 pounds of high-grade marijuana vacuum-sealed in the trunk.
Huynh was apprehended and placed under arrest without incident.

A RADE Agent arrived on the scene and conducted an investigation, and interviewed the suspect, Huynh reportedly said that he was contracted to smuggle marijuana from Oklahoma to New Orleans, Louisiana.

Thomas Huynh was arrested and jailed at the Rapides Parish Detention Center for improper lane use and possession of CDS 1 (marijuana) greater than 2.5 lbs. Huynh was released on a $50,000.00 bond on November 16th, 2022.

RADE agents say the investigation is still active and involving other law enforcement organizations.

The Rapides Area Drug Enforcement (RADE) Unit is a multi-jurisdictional team made up of the Alexandria Police Department, the Ball Police Department, the Boyce Police Department, the Cheneyville Police Department, the Forest Hill Police Department, the Glenmora Police Department, the Grant Parish Sheriff's Office, the Lecompte Police Department, the McNary Police Department, the Pineville Police Department, the Rapides Parish Sheriff's Office, the Woodworth Police Department, and the Grant Parish District Attorney's

An arrest is an indication that probable cause exists to believe the subject was involved in the offense alleged. A person is innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt.