Two Drug Arrests Made Following Bomb Scare on Megabus

On Tuesday, April 30, a bomb threat on a Megabus shut down I-10 eastbound near mile marker 26. According to a CPSO media release from Kim Myers, a man on the bus told the bus driver he was having chest pains and needed to get off, so the driver pulled over on the side of the interstate and dialed 911 for an ambulance. Once medics arrived, the man left the bus for the ambulance. A second passenger informed the driver that the passenger in the ambulance referenced a bomb before exiting to the ambulance. That's when the bus driver dialed 911 to reports a "possible bomb scare", said a Myers.

Deputies arrived as the bus was being evacuated, and one of the passengers, Albert Wiliams, 29, of New Orleans, fled on foot from the bus with a bag and sweat pants. Williams dropped what he was carrying near a drainage ditch and kept running, but luckily deputies spotted the item as they were apprehending him. The item dropped was a large ziplock bag with roughly 907 grams of powder cocaine, a street value worth between $80,000 - $100,000.

Another passenger was identified while evacuating the bus, George A. Pottinger, 32, of Georgia, was carrying multiple back packs that contained 60 pints of promethazine, with a street value between $15,000 - $20,000 ($200 - $500 per pint). Deputies also discovered marijuana and drug paraphernalia on Pottinger.

Both men were arrested and booked into the Calcasieu Correctional Center, with Pottinger being found in possession of marijuana during booking that he took from his pants and ingested.

Williams is charged with possession of cocaine over 400 grams; obstruction of justice; and resisting an officer.  His bond is set at $57,500.

Pottinger is charged with possession of marijuana; possession of drug paraphernalia; possession of CDS V with intent to distribute; contraband in a penal institution; and obstruction of justice.  His bond is set at $15,500.

The Louisiana State Police and Westlake Fire Department were also at the scene, luckily no bomb was found.