| id | cleanReleaseDate | troopName | title |
| 6944 | 2012-08-28 | Statewide | Multiple Drug Arrests in Tensas Parish and Concordia Parish |
HEADQUARTERS NEWS RELEASE August 28, 2012 Multiple Drug Arrests in Tensas Parish and Concordia Parish Earlier this year, the Louisiana State Police Bureau of Investigations, Tensas Parish Sheriff’s Office, and U.S. Homeland Security Investigations initiated an investigation into the activities of a drug trafficking organization that has ties to a Mexican drug cartel. Through investigative techniques, investigators learned this drug trafficking organization was transporting large quantities of marijuana and cocaine into the Tensas Parish area from the state of Texas. As a result of this investigation, approximately $100,000 in cash, weapons, over 100 pounds of marijuana, and approximately 90 ounces of cocaine were seized. Starting on Wednesday, August 22, 2012, troopers assigned to the Louisiana State Police Bureau of Investigations, Troop E, and Troop F, as well as deputies from the Tensas Parish Sheriff’s Office and the Concordia Parish Sheriff’s Office served 18 arrest warrants in Tensas and Concordia Parishes. Each of the subjects listed below were arrested on all of the following charges: Charges Racketeering Act Conspiracy to possession with intent to distribute -marijuana Conspiracy to possession with intent to distribute -Schedule II drugs Conspiracy to distribution of marijuana Conspiracy to distribution of cocaine Transactions involving proceeds from drug transactions Arrested Subjects Subject 1: Paula M. Williams, B/F, 31, Waterproof, LA Subject 2: Antoinette S. Lewis, B/F, 23, Waterproof, LA Subject 3: Elisha Ann Hillard, B/F, 27, Waterproof, LA Subject 4: Derrick L. Fields, B/M, 42, Waterproof, LA Subject 5: Curtis T. Cephus, B/M, 36, Waterproof, LA Subject 6: Morris O. Clark, B/M, 23, Waterproof, LA Subject 7: James Cephus, B/M, 33, Waterproof, LA Subject 8: Brandon O. Daniels, B/M, 37, Ferriday, LA. Subject 9: Craig Carter, B/M, 51, Houston, TX. Subject 10: Darshiana Edwards, 23, Waterproof, LA Subject 11: Mark Bethel, B/M, 35, Waterproof, LA Subject 12: Samantha Cephus, B/F, 43, Waterproof, LA Subject 13: Jeanetta Gill, B/F, 35, Waterproof, LA Subject 14: Jeremy Walsworth, W/M, 20, Vidalia, LA Subject 15: Kenya Cephus Simmons, B/F, 32, Ferriday, LA Subject 16: Steven Ross, B/M, 29, Waterproof, LA Subject 17: Maurice Devine, B/M, 35, New Orleans, LA Subject 18: Lemar E. Reese, B/M, 33, Clayton, La If convicted, each individual faces up to 120 years prison and over $1,100,000 dollars in fines. The investigation is continuing and additional arrests are expected. “Illegal narcotics are not just an urban problem. Unfortunately it affects all of Louisiana. State Police will continue to work with our law enforcement partners to rid our communities of drugs," said Colonel Mike Edmonson, State Police Superintendent. “The results of this investigation are indicative of what we can do when Federal, State and local law enforcement work together." Sheriff Ricky Jones of Tensas Parish said, “I am always glad to work with the Louisiana State Police to keep Tensas Parish free from drugs.” The Louisiana State Police online reporting system is also available to the public through a convenient and secure reporting form that is submitted to the appropriate investigators. Citizens can access the form by visiting www.lsp.org and clicking the Suspicious Activity link. Contact Information: Trooper Albert Paxton Louisiana State Police Public Affairs Section Office: (318) 345-2810 albert.paxton@dps.la.gov | |||
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