Lack of seatbelt secures drug arrest

After pulling over a driver for operating a vehicle without wearing a seatbelt Dec. 9, a Port Arthur Police Department (PAPD) officer arrested a 27-year-old man for unlawfully carrying a weapon and possession of marijuana.

On Friday, Dec. 9, a PAPD officer made a traffic stop in the 300 block of 14th Street after observing the driver, identified as D’Marc Cole, was not wearing his seatbelt. When the officer approached and made contact with Cole, a strong odor of marijuana was detected coming from inside the vehicle. The officer removed the driver and passenger from the vehicle.

“A handgun was found in the waistband of the driver, Cole, who was subsequently arrested for unlawfully carrying a weapon,” reads a PAPD news release. “Marijuana was also located in the vehicle and seized. The passenger was allowed to leave. This case will be submitted to the ATF for review.”