Natchitoches Parish Sheriff’s Deputies arrested a Natchitoches man on felony drug charges during a traffic stop in Campti on Friday evening according to the Natchitoches Parish Sheriff’s Office.

On Friday evening May 8 at approximately 7:00 pm, Deputies assigned to the NPSO Special Task Impact Patrol Unit stopped a 2007 Lincoln SUV on US-71 in Campti for a traffic violation.

During the traffic stop, deputies learned the operator of the vehicle’s driver’s license was suspended and there was a Glock 9mm handgun in the vehicle.

Two passengers in the vehicle were identified as prior convicted felons.

Deputies also observed open alcoholic beverage containers inside the vehicle.

During a search of the vehicle, deputies seized approximately 3.5 grams of suspected methamphetamine and ten suspected ecstasy tabs.

The seized narcotics had a potential street value of approximately $600.00.

While interviewing the occupants of the vehicle, one of the passengers identified as Gregory McGaskey Jr. allegedly claimed the illegal narcotics belonged to him.

As a result:

Gregory J. McGaskey Jr., 39, of the 200 block of Franklin Lane , Natchitoches was placed under arrest, transported and booked into the Natchitoches Parish Detention Center charged with Possession of CDS Schedule II Methamphetamine, and Possession of CDS I Ectasy-2nd of Subsequent Offense.

McGaskey has been released on a $15,000 bond set by a Tenth Judicial District Court Judge.

The driver cited for traffic offenses and the other passenger cited for Open Container were released at the scene.

The seized evidence will be submitted to the crime lab for narcotics analysis.

Natchitoches Multi-Jurisdictional Drug Task Force Agents also assisted in the investigation following the arrest.