Whitney Houston’s Brother Arrested On Crack Cocaine Charge Charged With Drug Possession And Resisting Arrest

The brother of pop music star Whitney Houston was arrested on charges of felony drug possession and resisting arrest Thursday in Cleveland County.

Deputies confiscated a crack pipe and five rocks of crack cocaine, worth about $100, when they stopped a car driven by Gary Garland Houston, said Sheriff’s Lt. Billy Benton.

“That’s the usual amount a person on the street will purchase for personal use,” he said.

Houston, 38, told police he had been living in Cleveland County for eight months. In 1994, he married Patricia Watson, who grew up in rural Cleveland County.

Vice squad officers with the Cleveland County Sheriff’s Department were monitoring a high drug-trafficking area about 4:30 p.m. when they spotted a 1995 Toyota Camry speeding from the area, Benton said.

Officers received consent to search the car, which was a rental with a New Jersey license plate, Benton said, adding that Houston struggled with officers.

“The officer had to forcibly cuff him,” Benton said.

Houston was released from the Cleveland County Jail after posting $11,000 bond. Family members declined to comment.

For years, he traveled the world as backup singer for his Grammy award-winning sister.

They grew up surrounded by music greats. Their mother, gospel singer Cissy Houston, sang backup for Elvis Presley and Aretha Franklin.

Benton said officers were surprised when they ran his name through a computer check and discovered who he was. “We treat everybody the same.”