Troopers arrest 4 people, seize 12.8 lbs. of cocaine

Louisiana State Police Troop D troopers arrested 4 people and seized 12.8 lbs. of cocaine valued at more than $150,000 early Monday after traffic stops on Interstate 10 near Iowa in Calcasieu Parish.
Shortly after 1 a.m., a trooper assigned observed a 2016 Kia SUV commit a traffic violation on I-10. After stopping the vehicle, the trooper requested permission from the driver, 38-year-old Megan Hatfield of Owensboro, Kentucky, to search the vehicle but she denied consent, police said in a news release.
Louisiana State Police canine Pita was deployed and alerted to the presence of illegal drugs in the vehicle. Troopers discovered approximately 12.8 pounds of cocaine valued at over $150,000, the news release stated.
About the same time as the Kia was stopped, another trooper stopped a 2015 Infiniti SUV for a traffic violation nearby. Through investigation, information was developed that linked the occupants of the Infiniti SUV with the cocaine discovered in the Kia, police said.
The occupants of the Infiniti, 31-year-old Johnny Perkins, 31-year-old Tavaris Smith, and 24-year-old Devontae Williams, all from Pensacola, Florida, were charged with possession with intent to distribute Schedule II drugs (cocaine), police said.
Hatfield was charged with possession with intent to distribute Schedule II drugs (cocaine) and improper lane usage, police said.
All four subjects were booked into the Calcasieu Parish Correctional Center.