Natchitoches Parish Sheriff’s Deputies arrested two men on traffic and drug charges during patrols in Kisatchie National Forest on Saturday evening according to the Natchitoches Parish Sheriff’s Office.

Deputies assigned to the NPSO Patrol Division were conducting special patrols of Kisatchie National Forest at the request of the US Forest Service on Saturday evening , September 28, at approximately 6:45pm, when they stopped a Ford pickup truck on Longleaf Trail for Speeding and Improper Lane Usage.

Deputies identified the operator of the vehicle as Rickey Dauzat II of Cloutierville.

Deputies say while talking with Dauzat he informed them his driver’s license was expired, however, during a LSP NLETS computer check deputies learned he was driving under suspension due to a prior DWI Offense, an arrestable offense in the State of Louisiana.

Deputies placed Dauzat under arrest and during a search of his person incidental to his arrest, suspected marijuana and drug paraphernalia were found on his person.

A passenger in the vehicle was identified as 23-year-old James Bennett II of Flatwoods, La.

Deputies say Dauzat also informed them he had some additional marijuana in the vehicle.

A search of the vehicle led to the seizure of additional suspected marijuana, drug paraphernalia, open alcoholic beverages and a cooler containing alcoholic beverages.

Deputies arrested:

Rickey Dauzat II, 24, of the 1000 block of La. Hwy 491, Cloutierville transported and booked into the Natchitoches Detention Center charged with Speeding, Improper Lane Usage, Driving under Suspension due to DWI, Possession of Marijuana, Possession of Drug Paraphernalia and Possession of Open Alcoholic Beverages in a Vehicle.

James Bennett II, 23, of the 1900 block of La. Hwy 478, Flatwoods transported and booked into the Natchitoches Detention Center charged with Possession of Marijuana and Possession of Drug Paraphernalia.

Both suspects admitted to ownership of the suspected marijuana and alcoholic beverages.

The vehicle was towed by a local wrecker service.

The seized narcotics evidence will be submitted to the crime lab for narcotics analysis and criminal court proceedings in the Tenth Judicial District Court.

Deputies D. Cabellero and E. Mogridge made the arrests.

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