Drug bust yields cocaine, marijuana and cash

On Oct. 27, Officer Jose Cruz with the Linden Police Department was traveling south on US Highway 59 when he observed a red Ford truck traveling over the posted speed limit, 70 mph in a 55 mph zone. Officer Cruz made the traffic stop on the vehicle. When Officer Cruz made contact with the driver of the vehicle he immediately detected the odor of marijuana coming from inside the vehicle.

The driver of the truck, Gary Gardner of Forest City Arkansas, was requested to step out of the vehicle. Gardner admitted to smoking marijuana and gave consent to Officer Cruz to search the vehicle. During the search of the vehicle over 200 grams of cocaine and $4,200.00 in U.S. currency was located inside the vehicle.

A passenger, Theodis Cole, was detained and complained of symptoms of a possible stroke. Cole was transported by ambulance for treatment to Christus St. Michael Hospital in Atlanta. The driver, Gery Gardner, was arrested for Possession of a Controlled PG1, more than 200 grams less than 400 grams - a Felony 1, for cocaine.

He was also arrested for possession of marijuana, a Class B Misdemeanor. The bond amounts were: $100,000.00 for the Cocaine Possession and $1,000.00 for the Marijuana Possession. Charges are pending on the passenger and owner of the truck, Theodis Cole of Forest City Arkansas, who is reported to have suffered a heart attack