Woman found with nearly 30 pounds of cocaine traveling with 5-year-old child, authorities say

IOWA, La. (KPLC/Gray News) - A Houston woman is accused of trafficking nearly half a million dollars’ worth of drugs while a young child was riding in her car.

According to the Calcasieu Parish Sheriff’s Office, a traffic stop was performed on I-10 on March 31 after a 5-year-old child was seen sitting in the front passenger seat without any restraints.

Investigators with the anti-drug task force said they noticed signs of in-transit criminal activity and asked to search 52-year-old Kim Hill’s car. She refused before a certified drug detection dog was brought to the scene.

Detectives searched the car after the K-9 detected the odor of narcotics, where the team found 12 packages hidden inside the truck.

The contents, weighing a total of 29.8 pounds, tested positive for cocaine, the sheriff’s office said, with an estimated street value of $500,000.

Hill was arrested and booked into jail on charges that included possession of a schedule II drug with intent to distribute and cruelty to juveniles.

Authorities said they released the 5-year-old to a family member following Hill’s arrest.