Bradenton man charged with drug, paraphernalia possession outside BP station

BRADENTON -- A Bradenton man was charged with possession of cocaine and drug paraphernalia after police arrested him on a warrant for a previous drug paraphernalia charge, according to the Bradenton Police Department.

Forrest Benton, 65, was arrested at 12:42 a.m. Tuesday outside a BP station at 2790 Manatee Ave. E. in Bradenton. According to a report, police spotted Benton while on patrol and knew Benton had an active warrant out of Manatee County for a drug paraphernalia charge. After his arrest in the parking lot of the station, police said Benton reached into his sweatpants pocket and begin "cupping" a small item in his right hand.

According to police, Benton then worked his way around the front of the police vehicle where he then dropped the item, which landed partially under the vehicle. Police retrieved the item, which was a crack stem that later tested positive for trace amounts of cocaine.

According to the report, police found a wadded brown paper bag with steel wool inside and told Benton of the consequences for introducing contraband into a secure detention facility. Benton then told police he had a piece of rock cocaine in the wadded brown paper bag. Police opened it and saw a small piece, according to the report.

Benton was charged with possession of cocaine, possession of drug paraphernalia and contempt of court for not answering a summons on another possession of drug paraphernalia charge, according to the Manatee County Sheriff's Office. Benton was being held in Manatee County jail on bonds totaling $3,000.

This story was originally published March 29, 2016 at 9:57 PM with the headline "Bradenton man charged with drug, paraphernalia possession outside BP station ."