Informant’s Tip Leads to Drug Bust in Missoula

Missoula, MT (KGVO-AM News) - On April 17, 2025, a Missoula County Sheriff’s Office detective received information from an informant that there was a white and black Ford Mustang, currently at the apartments on Otis Street, associated with a drug sale. A deputy later observed the suspect vehicle traveling westbound on Broadway and followed it. 

The Mustang pulled into the left-hand turn lane at the intersection of Broadway and Russell. When the light turned green, the Mustang turned left but did not use a turn signal. The Mustang also pulled into the far right-hand lane instead of the left-hand passing lane and then merged into the right-hand lane. 

The deputy initiated a traffic stop and made contact with the driver, 57-year-old Kenny Brown. Brown struggled to retrieve his driver’s license and also exhibited delayed responses to the deputy’s questions. The deputy also noted that Brown’s motor skills appeared to be impaired.  

When asked if he had anything illegal inside the Mustang, Brown said he had marijuana. Brown did not make direct eye contact with the deputy and had slow speech. Brown’s eyes also appeared to be watery.  

The deputy asked Brown to step out of the Mustang, but Brown was reluctant to do so and kept reaching around inside the vehicle. When Brown exited the vehicle, the deputy placed him in handcuffs and patted him down. The deputy felt an object in Brown’s pocket that Brown said was a marijuana pipe.  

Around this time, another deputy arrived on scene and performed a K9 sniff around the Mustang. The K9 indicated the presence of narcotics inside the vehicle. A sergeant arrived on scene and spoke with Brown. According to court documents, Brown admitted to using methamphetamine on Monday.  

READ MORE: Missoula News – Crime Reports 

Brown agreed to perform field sobriety tests. He demonstrated 6 out of 6 clues of impairment on the HGN test but did not perform the Walk-and-Turn or One-Leg-Stand test due to a knee issue. Based on the evidence, the deputy arrested Brown for DUI.  

During a search incident to arrest, the deputy located three pipes with possible residue and a baggie containing meth on Brown’s person. The deputy transported Brown to the hospital for a blood draw and then transported him to the Missoula County Detention Center. 

Brown is currently being charged with felony criminal possession of dangerous drugs and DUI second offense.  

The information in this article was obtained from sources that are publicly viewable.