$400,000 in drugs seized after dealer robbed

Published 2:18 pm Friday, July 11, 2014

GARYVILLE — More than $400,000 worth of drugs were confiscated and two people arrested Thursday night after authorities said a drug dealer was robbed at gunpoint.

Brandon Clark and Kristen Johnson, who live together in the 100 block of Cranberry Street in Garyville, were booked with possession with intent to distribute synthetic marijuana, possession with intent to distribute marijuana, possession with intent to distribute MDMA, possession or distribution of drug paraphernalia, possession with intent to distribute Xanax, possession of schedule V CDS and and sale, distribution or possession of a legend drug without a prescription.

The case began when St. John the Baptist Parish deputies responded to the 100 block of Cranberry Street at 11:18 p.m. Thursday following a home-invasion report.

Clark, 34, told deputies an unknown man forced his way into his residence, and when Johnson, 33, saw the perpetrator with a gun, she locked herself in the bathroom and called authorities.

“The perpetrator fired one shot striking no one,” a release from the Sheriff’s Office said. “He fled the residence on foot after taking cash and a cell phone. The perpetrator was wearing all black clothing.”

Authorities said Clark told detectives he sells mojo, which is synthetic marijuana,from the residence, and he had some in the residence.

“During the subsequent search of the residence, detectives recovered approximately 21 pounds of mojo, 54 grams of marijuana, 107 doses of ecstacy, 40 Xanax pills, legend drugs and drug paraphernalia used to facilitate the sale of illegal narcotics,” authorities said. “Detectives estimated the value of the seized narcotics to be over $400,000.”

Clark was also booked on an outstanding contempt of court warrant.

The suspects’ bonds have not been set.

Anyone with information regarding the home invasion is encouraged to call the St. John the Baptist Parish Sheriff’s Office TIPS line at 985-359-TIPS or Crimestoppers at 504-822-1111.

Residents with information about the robbery who call Crimestoppers do not have to testify in court and may qualify for a cash reward. Residents can also submit anonymous tips on the Sheriff’s Office website at stjohnsheriff.com/submitatip.php.