A recent traffic stop by Natchitoches Parish Sheriff’s Deputies led to the arrest of a Natchitoches man on felony drug and weapons charges according to Sheriff Stuart Wright.
NPSO Patrol Operations Bureau deputies were patrolling on Hwy. 6 East in the Grand Ecore area on Feb. 26 around 8:15 pm when they stopped a Nissan Altima for a traffic violation.
Deputies identified the operator of the vehicle as Brenton Holden, 30 of Natchitoches.
Deputies say while speaking with Holden and a passenger in the vehicle they smelled a strong marijuana smoke odor.
When deputies asked Holden about the marijuana smoke odor, he appeared very nervous allegedly informing them that he recently smoked marijuana.
Deputies suspected criminal activity obtaining permission to search the vehicle.
During a search of the vehicle, deputies discovered and seized, a bag containing approximately 25 grams of suspected methamphetamine, a loaded Taurus G3C semi-automatic 9mm handgun, a loaded Glock 42 semi-automatic .380 caliber handgun, weighing scales and other drug paraphernalia.
Deputies also learned Holden was wanted by the 10th Judicial District Court on an outstanding Natchitoches Parish Bench Warrant for Simple Cruelty to Animals and by the Natchitoches City Court on a Failure to Appear Bench Warrant.
Deputies say Holden allegedly confessed that the seized evidence belonged to him.
Holden was transported and booked into the Natchitoches Parish Detention Center charged with Possession of Schedule II Methamphetamine, Illegal Possession of Firearms in the Presence of Controlled Dangerous Substances, Possession of Drug Paraphernalia, 2-Counts of Failure to Appear and traffic offenses.
Holden remains in the Natchitoches Detention Center awaiting bond. The seized evidence will be turned over to the Northwest La. Crime Lab for analysis. The unidentified passenger was released without charges.
Natchitoches Multi-jurisdictional Drug Task Force Agents are assisting in investigation. Lt. B. Smith, Deputy A. Middleton, and Deputy J. Creel made the arrest.
