By Pat Culverhouse

A traffic violation turned into a drug bust after a Louisiana State Police trooper stopped a pair of Monroe men on Interstate 20 just before 11 p.m. Tuesday.

Both Kentrell Harris, 38, and Zonques Guise, also 38, are charged with manufacturing/distribution of CDS Sch. I (marijuana), possession of CDS Sch. II (Hydrocodone) and conspiracy as a result of the traffic stop.

Guise is also booked on fugitive warrants from the Ouachita Parish Sheriff’s Office on charges of possession of a firearm by a convicted felon, theft and contempt of court.

A state trooper reportedly observed a pickup truck driven by Harris abruptly change lanes, then close to within a car length of another vehicle.

After stopping the Harris vehicle, the trooper reportedly smelled a strong odor of marijuana coming from inside. Harris reportedly admitted the pair had smoked in the vehicle, but claimed the only marijuana inside was a blunt.

During a search, the trooper reportedly found one large plastic bag of marijuana in a backpack under the back seat and another large plastic bag of marijuana in a separate backpack inside a suitcase in the bed of the truck. Total weight of the marijuana reportedly was 1.625 pounds.

Also inside one backpack was a prescription bottle containing 97 Hydrocodone pills.

After being interviewed by narcotics agents, both men were transported to Bayou Dorcheat Correctional Center. No bond has been set for either man.

This information has been provided by a law enforcement agency as public information. Persons named as suspects in a criminal investigation, or arrested and charged with a crime, have not been convicted of any criminal offense and are presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.