Shreveport Police Dept.

Date: Oct 1, 2008

Phone: 318/673-6932 Fax: 318/673-6933

Contact: Jim Taliaferro, Public Information Officer

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Caddo-Shreveport Narcotics Agents make major Cocaine bust

Members of the Caddo-Shreveport Narcotics Unit made a major Cocaine bust last night.

Members of the Narcotics Unit received a tip that someone on a Bus headed form Houston to Shreveport would have a large quantity of Cocaine in their luggage.

Agent’s set-up surveillance on the bus station and after identifying one of the suspects moved in and quickly arrested a female at the bus station.

Markiyal Atkins, Black Female DOB 7-15-1982, from Monroe, Louisiana was arrested inside the Bus Station after a K-9 indicated drugs were in a piece of luggage belonging to Mrs. Atkins.

Inside the luggage, agents found 233 grams of Crack Cocaine and 29 grams of Powder cocaine with a street value of over 29,000 dollars.

A few blocks away from the bus station agents arrested Marlow Ashley, Black Male DOB 8-19-1974, also from Monroe, who arrived in Shreveport riding on the same bus which the drugs were found on.

Agents for the Caddo-Shreveport Narcotics Unit say Ashley and Atkins bought bus tickets in Houston. While Ashley rode the bus, Atkins drove to Shreveport in a car.

Both Ashley and Atkins were charged with Possession of Schedule II with Intent to Distribute, and will be tried by the DEA due to the large amount of Cocaine in the suitcase.

*** Mug Shots must be taken from the sheriff’s website. They were booked straight into CCC. ***

Information can be left with Crime Stoppers at 673-7373 or by logging onto the Crime Stoppers website at www.crimestoppersshreveportcaddo.com.

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View all SPD press releases at www.ci.shreveport.la.us/dept/police/spdnews