11 charged in multi-parish drug trafficking investigation

LEESVILLE, La. (KPLC) - Several people have been charged in a multi-parish drug trafficking investigation in Central Louisiana.

“Intelligence led us to one neighborhood gang here that used the ‘Gulf Cartel’ as its supplier of deadly illegal drugs,” said Special Agent in Charge of the FBI New Orleans Field Office, Jonathan Tapp.

“The Vernon Parish Sheriff’s Office started an investigation into drug trafficking in the area,” Sheriff Sam Craft said. VPSO enlisted help from other agencies including the FBI, DEA and sheriff’s offices from neighboring parishes.

“So we know that this announcement was targeting one specific local DTO that’s moving these products but it’s also a testament that we’re committed to dismantling these groups at every stage, at every parish in the Western district, and throughout the country,” said Assistant United States Attorney for the Western District of Louisiana, Zachary Keller.

“A Lafayette grand jury returned a 12-count indictment against 11 alleged members of a multi-parish drug trafficking organization on Jan. 21,” Assistant U.S. Attorney LaDonte Murphy said. “The suspects are accused of possessing or conspiring to possess ‘large amounts’ of meth and cocaine with intent to distribute.”

The following people are named in the indictment:

• Detrail Harris
• Kameron Harris
• Barry Pearson
• Frank Coleman Jr.
• Earl “Nook” Thompson
• Michael Womack
• Sevesta Sweet
• Charles Jackson
• Andrew Bulloch
• Craig Hopkins
• Buford “Dog Pound” Sawyer.

Tapp said a search warrant led officers to find 25 pounds of meth, 1 kilogram (more than 2 pounds) of cocaine, 2,000 fentanyl pills, $125,000 in cash, and several 1-ounce gold bars.

Authorities are investigating at least one drug-related murder related to this investigation, Tapp said.

One suspect is accused of possessing over 2,000 fentanyl pills, which were intendent for distribution in western Louisiana. Officials said the drugs originated in Mexico and were trafficked across the border.

Keller said “The organization used cell phone encrypted apps and chats to coordinate transporting the drugs into Central Louisiana.”

“These are transnational organizations that are not just targeting our rural parishes, not just targeting our cities like Alexandria, Shreveport, Monroe. They’re also targeting cities elsewhere, counties in other states, rural communities just like Vernon Parish,” said Keller.

“The 11 individuals charged in this case are accused of bringing in significant amounts of deadly poison destined for multiple parishes, making it an extremely complex investigation,” Tapp said.

Vernon Sheriff Sam Craft says this is one of the largest operations under his tenure.

“It was a really big operation with multi agencies, you know locals, state, federal agencies and just a good, good operation,” said Craft.

Authorities say this is still an ongoing investigation and more arrests could be made.