Drug Arrests in Louisiana, Texas and New York Yield Cocaine, Fentanyl, Firearms

Law enforcement in Louisiana, Texas and New York arrested 11 people in separate drug investigations, seizing cocaine, methamphetamine, fentanyl, firearms and other contraband. The arrests stemmed from anonymous tips, a police pursuit, a traffic stop and search warrants.

In Baton Rouge, East Baton Rouge Parish deputies arrested 35-year-old Jordan Langlois after he was accused of selling cocaine to LSU students. Deputies first learned about the alleged drug-dealing from an anonymous tip in March. According to the tip, Langlois was selling drugs out of an apartment on East Magna Carta Place off Old Hammond Highway. On June 30, deputies arranged a drug sale between an informant and Langlois at a West Chimes Street apartment. They seized 70 grams of packaged cocaine, 21 grams of meth and MDMA pills in a locked safe, along with multiple digital scales, empty clear mini baggies and a bottle of Inositol, a sugar substitute commonly used to cut drugs. Langlois was booked into the East Baton Rouge Parish Prison on multiple counts of possession with intent to distribute. His bond was set at $31,500.

Baton Rouge police also arrested 50-year-old Sedrick Tasco after a pursuit. Investigators tried to stop Tasco while he was driving, but he drove off and police chased him. Tasco allegedly drove into oncoming traffic lanes multiple times, forced other drivers off the roadway and intentionally rammed police vehicles. He eventually got out of the vehicle and ran, but was caught by a K-9 officer. Officers found and seized a handgun stolen from St. Landry Parish, marijuana, synthetic marijuana, crack-cocaine, methamphetamine, MDMA, heroin hydrochloride, two digital scales and money. Tasco was booked into the East Baton Rouge Parish Prison on drug, gun and flight from an officer charges.

In another Baton Rouge case, police arrested three people after executing a search warrant at a residence in the 1500 block of Kenmore Avenue. The investigation began with an anonymous tip to Capital Region Crime Stoppers. Officers seized methamphetamine, cocaine, alprazolam, LSD, marijuana, psilocybin mushrooms and Vyvanse. The residence was located in close proximity to St. Joseph's Academy, which violates the Drug Free Zone law. Lewis Rhodes, 57, was charged with possession with intent to distribute Schedule I, II and IV drugs, possession of drug paraphernalia, possession of marijuana and drug free zone violation. Julia Bryan, 27, and Alyssa Hughes, 28, were charged with drug possession and drug free zone violations.

In Watertown, New York, three people with criminal histories were arrested after police found drugs, a semi-automatic handgun, a high-capacity magazine and a baby in their vehicle. Officers pulled over a vehicle in the State Street Burger King parking lot after the driver failed to use a turn signal. Police said they found a Jimenez Arms JA-380 semi-automatic pistol hidden under the driver's seat, which had been defaced to prevent it from being traced, and a 30-round .223/5.56mm ammunition feeding device described as a high-capacity rifle magazine. Passenger John Forney, 35, was in the backseat with a 2-month-old infant and allegedly possessed cocaine, methamphetamine, suboxone strips, digital scales and nearly $300 in cash. Another passenger, Ryan Dickson, 36, allegedly had fentanyl on him. The driver, Bethany Dickson, 42, was operating the vehicle without a license. All three were charged with felony counts of criminal possession of a weapon. Forney and Ryan Dickson were additionally charged with drug possession counts, and Forney faces charges of child endangerment, resisting arrest, obstructing governmental administration and criminal use of drug paraphernalia. Forney and Ryan Dickson were held without bail in the Jefferson County jail; Bethany Dickson was released.

In Bryan-College Station, Texas, three people were arrested May 28 after the Bryan Police Department's Drug Enforcement Team executed three evidentiary search warrants tied to an ongoing investigation into a drug trafficking organization. Investigators served the warrants after multiple drug transactions were observed in Bryan, College Station and Brazos County. The first warrant, on Monito Way in Bryan, led to the arrests of Dennis Young, Octavio Martinez-Marure and Arnaldo Humberto Martinez. Two more warrants were executed on Durango Street and Hawk Tree Drive in College Station. Officers reported seizing multiple firearms, narcotics, currency, body armor and evidence of drug trafficking. The three were charged with manufacture/delivery of controlled substances. The Bryan Police Department was assisted by the Brazos County Sheriff's Office, College Station Police Department, Texas Department of Public Safety and FBI.