Video shows NBA's Brandon Clarke stopped by police 6 weeks before his death

Six weeks prior to his mysterious death in Los Angeles this spring at age 29, NBA player Brandon Clarke of the Memphis Grizzlies was pulled over by police in Arkansas. Body camera footage obtained by CBS News shows officers stopped Clarke for driving his Corvette at speeds exceeding 100 mph.

Upon pulling over, Clarke was handcuffed and placed in a patrol vehicle. A search of his car revealed several large bags of capsules containing a green powdery substance, identified as "100% Pure Mitragyna Speciosa," commonly known as kratom. The bags were marked with various brand names. Police also found a THC vape pen containing marijuana.

Clarke told officers the substance was "just kratom." Kratom, an herbal extract from Southeast Asia, can have stimulant or sedative effects and is known to be highly addictive. The Drug Enforcement Administration notes potential for psychotic symptoms and dependence, while the Food and Drug Administration has warned of serious adverse events, including liver toxicity and seizures, and in rare cases, deaths when combined with other drugs.

At the time of his arrest, kratom was illegal in Arkansas and classified as a Schedule I drug. Clarke faced two felony charges: trafficking a controlled substance and fleeing in a vehicle, along with three misdemeanors. His death on May 11 in Los Angeles is currently under investigation by the County of Los Angeles Medical Examiner, with the case status officially listed as 'deferred,' indicating additional testing is required.

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It's just kratom.