Sheriff: Canine officer sniffs out drugs, cash | Crime

Just hours after the Lawrence County Sheriff’s Office completed its inaugural K-9 training course, one of their canine officers helped sniff out marijuana and nearly $40,000 cash.

Michale John Otell, 43, of Chico, California, was arrested Friday night while Arkansas State Police officers were conducting a sobriety checkpoint at Imboden.

According to Sheriff Jody Dotson, noticing that Otell “seemed very nervous and in a hurry,” the officers had Lawrence County K-9 officer “Ben” check his vehicle.

“Ben alerted on the passenger’s side of the vehicle twice,” Sheriff Dotson said.

Inside the vehicle officers reported finding marijuana.  They also found nearly $40,000 cash in the glove compartment.

Otell was taken to the Lawrence County Jail to await a bond hearing.

Photo provided by Lawrence County Sheriff's Office