K-9 RAPTOR helps locate 91 pounds of drugs hidden in RV - Arkansas State Police

*This is a very long video, so I'll add some chapter markers in the comments and at the end of this description* Trooper's Report: On 2/17/2023 at approximately 15:34 hours, I was on routine patrol on I-40 Eastbound when I observed a tan THMO Chateau RV bearing Oklahoma license plate# LRZ946. I observed the vehicle swerve over the fog line and onto the shoulder of the roadway while I was traveling directly beside the vehicle. I initiated my emergency equipment, conducted a traffic stop on the vehicle on I-40 Eastbound at the 172 mile marker, and made contact with the driver and front seat passenger of the vehicle. Upon making contact with the occupants, I identified myself as an Arkansas State Trooper, and advised them why they had been stopped. The front seat passenger (later identified as Stephen Huffman) stated the reason why the driver has swerved off of the roadway was because it was windy. Then asked the driver (later identified as Matt Panganiban) for his driver’s license and vehicle information. Panganiban provided me with his driver’s license. Huffman stated that the RV belonged to his fiancé, provided me with the vehicle registration, and stated that he would have to have her send him a copy of the insurance card. During this conversation, I asked Huffman where he and Panganiban were coming from and where they were traveling to. Huffman stated that they were coming from Oklahoma and were traveling to Virginia for a vacation. I then had Huffman exit the RV and come to my patrol unit. After reaching my patrol unit, Huffman provided me with a photograph of his California driver’s license. I then conducted an ACIC/NCIC check of Panganiban and Huffman’s driver’s licenses. During the check I learned that Huffman had extensive criminal history for narcotics possession (Huffman also verbally admitted this information). While at my patrol unit, I noticed that Huffman seemed to be extremely nervous (his hands were shaking, he wouldn’t make eye contact with me, and his breathing was heavy and labored). I also asked Huffman if there was anything illegal inside of the vehicle and Huffman stated “No there isn’t”. As a result of Huffman’s extreme nervousness and prior drug history, I asked him for consent to search the vehicle, and Huffman stated “No”. I advised Huffman that I had a narcotics detector canine and that I was going to deploy him to conduct a free air sniff of the exterior of the vehicle. I also advised Huffman that if the canine alerted to the odor of narcotics, that I would have probable cause to search his vehicle. After speaking with Huffman, he and Panganiban were advised to stand on the shoulder of the roadway so I could conduct the canine sniff. I then deployed my narcotics detector canine “Raptor” to conduct a sniff of the exterior of the vehicle. During the sniff, “Raptor” indicated to the odor of narcotics. After the sniff was complete, I advised Huffman and Panganiban that I was going to conduct a probable cause search of their vehicle. While searching the interior vehicle, I located a false compartment located underneath bedroom in the rear of the vehicle. Access was gained to this compartment by removing the mattress and plywood underneath the mattress. Upon gaining entry into the compartment, I observed several large black trash bags. Upon opening the trash bags, I observed numerous vacuum sealed packages containing suspected marijuana (approximately 91 pounds in total weight). Upon locating the suspected marijuana, Huffman and Panganiban were taken into custody. Rich’s Wrecker Service was contacted and later arrived on scene to tow the RV to the Lonoke County Sheriff’s Office so that the suspected marijuana could be removed from the vehicle. Huffman and Panganiban were transported to the Lonoke County Jail for booking where they were charged with Possession of a Controlled Substance with Purpose to Deliver and Possession of Drug Paraphernalia. 00:00 - Please like and subscribe! 01:25 - Traffic Stop 04:05 - Has a chat with one of the occupants 11:35 - Wakes up RAPTOR 11:56 - RAPTOR smells the load 12:42 - GOOD BOY! 17:05 - The search begins 26:45 - Talks with other Trooper 31:45 - Looking for the hidden compartment 33:30 - Getting warmer 33:57 - FOUND IT! 35:55 - Trust your dog 37:24 - Muted 42:57 - To jail