PANAMA CITY — Police have arrested a Panama City man who allegedly stuffed several baggies of cocaine into his mouth in an attempt to conceal them from officers, according to a Panama City Police Department news release.
David Lenard Howard Jr., 35, of Panama City, was arrested after officers attempted to stop his vehicle Wednesday at about 11:30 p.m. Howard continued traveling and finally stopped at Massalina Drive and Varsity Drive, PCPD said in the release.
When officers approached Howard they could see that he had small plastic baggies in his mouth. Howard was ordered to spit the baggies out but did not comply. Howard climbed into the back seat of the vehicle to attempt to keep the officers from getting the baggies. Officers were able to subdue Howard and recover several small plastic baggies containing a white powder that field tested positive for cocaine, police reported.
Subsequently, Howard was arrested and transported to the Bay County Jail, charged with possession of cocaine with the intent to distribute, tampering with evidence, resisting arrest without violence and driving while license suspended with knowledge.