INDEPENDENCE--Independence Officer Eloise Jones was running radar observing the traffic that was traveling LA 40 West. When she pulled over a driver, she observed a nervous passenger inside, according to Independence Police Chief Frank Edwards III.

She observed a car speeding and stopped it.

Officer Jones was able to make a stop on the vehicle on Hickory Street.

Officer Jones asked the driver to exit the vehicle and in the process of writing a ticket for the violation to the driver, Officer Jones observed the passenger in the vehicle appearing to be very nervous and moving around a lot in the vehicle.

At this time, IPD Detective Chris Chappell arrived on the scene and was also able to observe the unusual behavior of the passenger. He was later identified as Christopher Dalton.

Officer Jones and Detective Chappell obtained a verbal consent to search the vehicle from the driver. While searching the vehicle they found 15 off-white rocks, substance suspected to be crack cocaine. The suspect poured into a cup trying to conceal it.

Dalton was transported to the Independence Police Department where he confessed to having the drugs and booked and transported to the Tangipahoa Parish Jail.