(AMITE)---An Independence man has been arrested and charged in connection with a case where narcotics agents allegedly saw the suspect involved in what appeared to be a drug transaction near Amite, according to the Tangipahoa Parish Sheriff's Office.

Tangipahoa Sheriff Daniel Edwards reports that 34-year-old Kyle L. Ard has been charged with possession with the intent to distribute cocaine, resisting an officer, and obsrtruction of justice.

It happened on Wednesday, March 25, in the Amite area when narcotics agents were patrolling an area and, according to the sheriff, noticed what they believed to be a drug transaction take place in a maroon Suburban.

The sheriff says the agents conducted a traffic stop on the vehicle and noticed that Ard put an object in his mouth. Agents ordered Ard to remove the object from his mouth.

After a short altercation, Sheriff Edwards says that agents were able to remove the object from Ard's mouth. Upon retrieving the item, agents determined that it was a clear, plastic bag containing several other bags with cocaine inside.

The agents then took Ard into custody.

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