Man found with cocaine in mouth during traffic stop

Police say the suspect fled officers after they found 16 rocks of crack in his mouth.

By Trevor Eischen

Published Sept. 4, 2008

Columbia police arrested a man they said had cocaine hidden in his mouth Tuesday during a traffic stop.

Officers saw Marco Campbell, 24, while he was driving his 2000 Silver Jeep Cherokee on Broadway near Seventh Street, according to a police news release. Both officers knew the driver's identity and that he had a suspended license. After pulling the car over, they arrested Campbell.

"During the stop officers noticed that the passenger of the vehicle, Dante Harwell, 28, became exceptionally nervous during questioning," Columbia Police Department Sgt. Daniel Beckman said in the release.

Harwell's anxiety was most noticeable by the movement coming from his mouth, police said. When officers asked what was in Harwell's mouth, he answered saying it was chewing gum, Beckman said. After officers asked, Harwell opened his mouth. He did have gum in his mouth, but officers also found plastic cellophane sticking out of it.

"Officers immediately recognized cellophane used in packaging crack cocaine," CPD Sgt. Brian Richenberger said.

Harwell then attempted to flee the scene, police said. After a brief struggle, was apprehended.

Police said Harwell had 16 rocks — which weighed about 5 grams — of crack cocaine in his mouth. Richenberger said the weight of the cocaine would determine the degree of conviction in Harwell's sentence.

Campbell was arrested on suspicion of driving with a suspended license and was released on signature. Harwell was arrested on suspicion of trafficking a second-degree controlled substance and resisting arrest. Bond has yet to be set for Harwell.