ST. MARTINVILLE — A routine traffic stop for a broken tail light eventually led the St. Martin Parish Sheriff’s Office to arrest a suspect on four counts of narcotics distribution charges.

A press release from Major Ginny Higgins said at 11:30 p.m. Monday a deputy conducted a traffic stop on a vehicle on U.S. 90 for a burnt tail light.

“Initial contact was made with the driver, Alexis N. Fine, who appeared extremely nervous,” the release said.

Advertisement

“A second deputy arrived on scene and made contact with the passenger identified as Andre A. Brown, who admitted to being in possession of marijuana.”

A search of Brown led to the recovery of a clear plastic bag of orange pills believed to be ecstasy (MDMA), a brown medicine bottle containing approximately 35 zanabar, a clear plastic bag containing seven grams of cocaine, and two clear plastic bags of a green leafy substance believed to be 14 grams of marijuana, the release said.

The St. Martin Parish Sheriff’s Office also said Brown was a victim in an April 23 Franklin shooting.  

He was arrested and booked this week into the St. Martin Parish Correctional Center on charges including possession with intent to distribute cocaine, possession with intent to distribute schedule I CDS, possession with intent to distribute marijuana and possession with intent to distribute schedule IV CDS Alprazolam.

Fine was released on a citation for failure to have two working tail lights and failure to change address in 10 days.