Late in the evening of August 27, 2023, a routine traffic stop on I-30 Eastbound near the 109 mile marker led to the discovery of a significant amount of methamphetamine and the arrest of a Sulphur Springs resident.
A Hopkins County Sheriff's deputy noticed a vehicle on I-30 Eastbound near the 109 mile marker executing an improper pass without signaling. Subsequently, the same vehicle exited the interstate without using the proper turn signal. The deputy initiated a traffic stop, and the vehicle pulled into the Valero gas station parking lot in Cumby.
Upon interaction with the driver, identified as Cris Brown, the deputy noted several signs of nervous behavior, including a lack of eye contact, slurred speech, and excessive sweating. The deputy requested Brown to step out of the vehicle for further conversation. During the conversation, Brown was informed of the reason for the traffic stop and questioned about the presence of any illegal substances or weapons in the vehicle. Brown denied having any narcotics or weapons. Following this, Brown gave consent for a search of the vehicle.
The search yielded two unused syringes in the glove compartment. Additionally, a second deputy arrived at the scene and discovered two magnetic boxes affixed to the underside of the vehicle on the passenger side. These boxes contained clear baggies filled with a crystal-like substance suspected to be methamphetamine. As a result, Brown was taken into custody.
Further investigation led to the location of a third magnetic box under the vehicle, containing more methamphetamine. The cumulative weight of the confiscated methamphetamine was approximately 252 grams.
Brown, a 45-year-old resident of Sulphur Springs, was subsequently booked into Hopkins County Jail on a charge of Manufacturing/Delivering Controlled Substance PG 1 >= 200g<400g.
A local towing company was contacted to tow the vehicle to their shop to be placed on a lift and searched for additional boxes. A deputy followed the tow truck to the shop with their dash camera on to maintain chain of custody. The vehicle was lifted and no additional boxes were located.
The evidence was photographed and processed at the Hopkins County Sheriff’s Office.
