Bridget Walker

Reporter

The Howard Johnson hotel became the scene of a drug bust Tuesday when Jarard Johnson, 27, was arrested with charges of trafficking cocaine and possession of marijuana.

Public safety officers responded around 11:30 a.m. in reference to someone complaining that they could smell burning marijuana around the pool area.

“When officers arrived, two suspects fled the scene,” said investigator Chris Jordan. One suspect fled on foot, and the other fled on foot and then got in a vehicle at the store next to Howard Johnson according to Jordan.

“Officers never were able to locate those two suspects,” Jordan said. “However, they did locate one suspect [Johnson] still in the room. He is in custody…The officers went in, got him out of the room. At which time, we located approximately four ounces of crack cocaine and a quantity of marijuana.”

The charge of possession with intent is upped to trafficking when the suspect has any amount of cocaine over 28.35 grams, which is equal to one ounce.

BPS is working to find the two remaining suspects who fled the scene.

“We have identified one of them,” Jordan said. “We’re pretty sure we know who the second one is, but we’re trying to locate both of them right now.”

There are no active warrants for either suspect at this time