Monkey business

Now, I've never been one to transport large (or any) amounts of narcotics in my car, but if I was, I'd make damn sure that I wasn't obviously breaking any rules of the road. I'd make sure my lights were all working, that I'd stick close to the speed limit, that I would use my turn signals when making a turn or a lane change, and that my view out of the windshield wasn't obscured by a giant, stuffed monkey.

A trooper driving down Interstate 40 near Forrest City on Monday spotted a truck with much of its windshield blocked by a large, stuffed monkey, authorities said. When the trooper pulled over the driver, he could smell what he suspected to be marijuana and he searched the vehicle, police said.

Police said the trooper found more than 2,100 hydrocodone pills, 70 Xanax pills and 85 Soma pills.

The driver, Tonya Rachelle Garner, 35, and passenger, Dennis Ray Garner, 34, both of Willis, Texas, were each charged with several counts of possession of a controlled substance with intent to deliver. Tonya Garner also faces a charge of driving with an obstructed view.

Somehow, I doubt that last charge is costing her quite as much sleep as the others.