Iowa, Louisiana - Two individuals were arrested in Calcasieu Parish after a K-9 gave a positive alert and suspected cocaine was found during a traffic stop.

At around 12:12 a.m. on September 9th, Iowa Police Department Sr. Cpl. Rodney Daigle made a traffic stop on I-10 East near mile marker 46 in Iowa, Louisiana due to a traffic violation.

While conversing with the driver, Erma Smith, and passenger, Gregory Swanks, Sr. Cpl. Daigle noticed suspicious behavior. Sr. Cpl. Daigle requested permission to search the vehicle, however, the request was denied by Smith and Swanks. As a result, a Calcasieu Parish Sheriff's Office canine named K-9 Buck was brought in to conduct an open-air sniff around the vehicle.

The K-9 gave a positive alert, leading to a probable cause search of the vehicle where a hidden compartment was found containing five bundles of suspected cocaine.

Smith and Swanks were taken into custody and charged with possession with intent of CDS II.

The Calcasieu Parish Combined Anti-drug Team Task Force assisted the Iowa Police Department in the investigation.

An arrest is an indication that probable cause exists to believe the subject was involved in the offense alleged. All persons are presumed innocent until proven guilty.