SHERIFF: Bomb threat investigation leads to drug arrests

WESTLAKE, LA (KPLC) - Three suspects have been arrested on drug charges following a bomb threat investigation, according to Sheriff Tony Mancuso with the Calcasieu Parish Sheriff’s Office.

A bomb threat to a commercial bus shut down I-10 eastbound near PPG Drive around 5:30 p.m. on Tuesday, April 30.

The investigation began when a commercial bus stopped on the side of I-10 eastbound for a medical emergency, Mansuco said. At some point the Sheriff’s Office received a call about a bomb on the bus. Deputies responded and began evacuating people off the bus.

While evacuating the bus a subject with a backpack tried to flee the scene. Deputies apprehended the subject and discovered cocaine in his backpack, Mancuso said.

Louisiana State Police bomb technicians, the FBI joint terrorism task force, and Sheriff’s Office bomb sniffing dogs cleared the bus. No bomb was detected or found on the Megabus. Detective brought drug sniffing dogs to the scene to check over the remainder of the luggage.

Deputies were able to find over 100 bottles of Promethazine in addition to almost a kilogram of cocaine. Three arrests have been made at this time. A large amount of money was also found in a bag. More arrests are possible in this case, according to Mancuso.

The Megabus was allegedly headed for New Orleans and was just traveling through Calcasieu Parish, Mancuso said.

The bomb threat closed I-10 eastbound near the PPG Drive Exit for approximately two hours, according to James Anderson with Louisiana State Police. The PPG Drive Exit has been reopened.

State Police, Calcasieu Parish Sheriff’s Office, and Carlyss Fire Department investigated this incident. KPLC will update this article with information as it becomes available.