A suspicious vehicle parked near a Clarence business has led to the arrest of a Natchitoches woman on felony drug charges according to Natchitoches Parish Sheriff Stuart Wright.
The investigation began on Friday morning, August 30, 2024 at approximately 1:55am, when Deputy T. Hortman assigned to the NPSO Patrol Operations Bureau observed a suspicious vehicle parked at a business on US-71 in Clarence.
As deputies were preparing to investigate the matter further and make contact with the occupants of the vehicle, the 2017 Ford Taurus exited the parking lot and began to travel northbound on US-71. Deputies stopped the vehicle just north of Clarence for a traffic violation. Deputies identified the operator of the vehicle as 39-year-old Krystal Brown of Natchitoches.
Deputies say when they asked Brown for her driver’s license she replied, “she did not have them on her person stating she was traveling to Campti.”
She also informed deputies she was “checking on a flat tire.” A back-up unit arrived on scene to assist. A LSP NLETS check revealed the driver’s license was expired.
Deputies also identified a passenger in the vehicle whose driver’s license was invalid also. Deputies say while speaking with Brown she appeared very uneasy, nervous and anxious leading them to believe criminal activity existed. Deputies obtained permission to search the vehicle. During a search of the vehicle, deputies seized approximately 3.8 grams of suspected methamphetamine, 17 syringes, glass smoking pipes and tourniquets.
As a result:
Krystal Brown, 39, of Natchitoches was transported and booked into the Natchitoches Parish Detention Center charged with Possession of CDS Schedule II Methamphetamine and Possession of Drug Paraphernalia. Brown remains in the Natchitoches Detention Center awaiting bond.
The seized evidence will be submitted to the crime lab for narcotics analysis.
Deputies say the passenger was released after they learned the seized narcotics allegedly belonged to Brown. Deputies also learned during the investigation that Brown was removing clothing items from the Salvation Army container at the business just prior to the stop.
The investigation is still active and ongoing. The vehicle was impounded by a local wrecker service. Involved in the arrest were: Deputy T. Hortman assisted by Deputy T. Stewart.
