On Thursday, March 8, the Bogalusa Police Department received a call about a male and female who appeared to be intoxicated in the 400 block of Avenue B, according to Major Percy Knight, public information officer for the BPD.

“Before the officers arrived on the scene, the couple had left the scene in a white Chevrolet Suburban,” he said. “BPD officers located the Suburban on Plaza Street and Avenue B. BPD officers conducted a traffic stop on the vehicle after the driver failed to use a turn signal. After making contact with the driver, officers asked for his driver’s license and proof of insurance.”

Knight said that the driver, identified as Brian E. Varnado, 31, of Wilmer, was driving with a suspended driver’s license.

“Varnado gave the officers verbal consent to search his vehicle for illegal contraband,” Knight said. “Officers observed a black case inside the vehicle. The case was opened and it contained several small baggies, a cutoff straw, scale and a baggie that contained several pieces of clear pieces of rock like substance, suspected of being crystal meth. Also located inside the vehicle was a glass pipe commonly use for smoking illegal drugs and suspected marijuana.”

Varnado was placed under arrest and charged with turn signals required, driving under suspension, no proof of insurance, possession with intent to distribute methamphetamine, possession with intent to distribute cocaine, possession of drug paraphernalia and simple possession of marijuana.

Knight said that the passenger of the vehicle, Tabitha L. Roberts, 31, of Wilmer, was also arrested.

Roberts was charged with possession with intent to distribute methamphetamine, possession with intent to distribute cocaine, possession of drug paraphernalia and simple possession of marijuana.