A Washington Parish man was arrested on drug-related charges after a traffic stop Tuesday, according to Chief Deputy Mike Haley of the Washington Parish Sheriff’s Office.

Haley said that WPSO Patrol Deputy Jay Dupre was conducting a Driving While Intoxicated detail in rural parts of the parish on Tuesday evening. While traveling on Highway 438, he reportedly observed a red pickup truck sitting motionless on Frank Dillon Road, where it intersects with Highway 438.

Haley said that Dupre continued past the intersection and in his rear view mirror noticed that the truck remained stationary, even when traffic conditions were clear. Dupre then turned around and traveled back to the pickup truck, parking directly behind it, Haley said.

With his blue lights flashing, Dupre exited his vehicle, approached the driver’s side window of the pickup and observed a male seated in the driver’s seat. Haley said that in clear sight was a scale used to weigh drugs and what appeared to be drugs that the driver was weighing and wrapping in aluminum foil.

The driver was so busy weighing and wrapping the drugs that he did not see the flashing blue lights behind him and did not see the deputy standing next to the driver’s side window until Dupre loudly announced his presence, Haley said.

Once the driver exited the vehicle, Dupre searched him and reportedly discovered illegal drugs on his person as well a variety of other illegal drugs in the vehicle. The driver, Branden Lane Knight, 29, a resident of Highway 438, was arrested and transported to the Washington Parish Jail. He was booked on charges of possession of Schedule III drugs, possession with intent to distribute Schedule II drugs, possession of marijuana, possession of drug paraphernalia and sale, distribution or possession of legend drugs without a prescription. As of Thursday afternoon, he remained in jail with his bond set at $30,000, Haley said.

Haley noted that this is Knight’s second arrest in 2017. On Feb. 11, he was arrested and charged with possession of Schedule II drugs, possession of Schedule IV drugs and possession of drug paraphernalia. He was released from jail the same day after posting a $5,750 bond.

Washington Parish Sheriff Randy Seal commented on the arrest.

“Here we have another young male actively involved in the drug trade in our parish. Obviously, his February arrest did not serve as a wake-up call for him,” Seal said. “Now he faces a multitude of other charges and likely a trip to prison and his continued poor choices will lead only to continued poor outcomes. Deputy Dupre did an excellent job in apprehending him and placing him in jail.

“Once again, I remind drug dealers in our parish that we are coming after you and sooner or later will catch you and put you in jail. As I’ve said before, there is always room for one more in the Washington Parish Jail.”