Man faces drug charges after traffic stop

Reco Renard Hawkins
Reco Renard Hawkins

A Bowie County man has been arrested on drug charges after a traffic stop on Interstate 30.

Reco Renard Hawkins, 45, of Mount Pleasant, Texas, was arrested on charges of possession of a controlled substance over four grams and under 200 grams and possession of marijuana under two ounces, said Capt. Jeff Neal, chief deputy of the Bowie County Sheriff's Office.

On Sunday, Deputy Shawn Martin stopped a red Ford truck for a traffic violation on Interstate 30 in the Hooks, Texas, area.

While this vehicle was slowly coming to a stop, Martin saw the passenger in the truck move around excessively in the cab and throw something out of his window.

The driver was asked to step out of her vehicle to speak with Martin.

She complied and told Martin the passenger had thrown marijuana out the window when Martin got behind them and turned on his emergency lights. Martin then made contact with the passenger, who was found to be Hawkins.

As he was speaking with Hawkins, Martin could smell the odor of marijuana coming from this vehicle, Neal said. Hawkins was asked to step out of the vehicle so Martin could search it. A blue bag containing two pipes used to smoke methamphetamine and two clear bags containing methamphetamine were found during this search in the passenger side floorboard, Neal said.

Hawkins claimed ownership of this blue bag and was arrested.

The driver told Martin that Hawkins had additional drugs concealed in his pants.

A complete search of Hawkins reportedly produced some marijuana and about 27 grams of methamphetamine he had hidden on his person. Hawkins was taken to the Bi-State jail.

His bonds have been set at $25,000 and $2,500 respectively. Hawkins was still in custody Tuesday, Neal said.

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