More than 100 pounds of pot found during Pemiscot County traffic stop

A traffic stop in Pemiscot County led to the discovery of large quantities of marijuana and cocaine early Monday, according to the Missouri State Highway Patrol.

According to a written report provided by trooper Clark D. Parrott, at 12:02 a.m. Monday a member of the Missouri State Highway Patrol stopped a 2003 Ford F-350 pickup truck traveling northbound on Interstate 55 in Pemiscot County for a traffic violation.

The driver was identified as Manuel P. Rivera, 43, of Houston. During the traffic stop, the trooper became suspicious and permission to search the truck was requested and granted.

During the search of the truck by a patrol dog, about 100 pounds of processed marijuana and four kilograms of cocaine were reportedly found in a locked toolbox in the bed of the truck. Rivera and his passenger, Lorena Ibarra, 36, of Beach Pike, Ill., were arrested on charges of drug trafficking.