Feds indict locals on drug charges

Lafayette – U.S. Attorney Donald W. Washington has announced arrests in a “major drug trafficking organization” based in Breaux Bridge and Lafayette.

The 10 arrests, including two men from Breaux Bridge and one from St. Martinville, were made on the strength of a sealed 41-count indictment returned in U.S. District Court here July 16.

Arrested Aug. 13 were Tidus Ray Nadie, 22, and Jacory Jamar Simon, 20, both of Breaux Bridge; Raven Rochelle Davenport, 30, and Walter Paul Jermaine Levey, 29, both of Abbeville; Robert Andrew Colbert, 26, of New Iberia; and Melvin Wayne Alexander, 33, and Harold Jeremaine Guidry, 32, both of Lafayette.

Still at large were Abdul Kareem Francois, 28, of St. Martinville; and Darius Nathaniel Fisher, 29, and Latasha Monique Oliphant, 32, both of Houston.

According to the U.S. attorney’s office, the DEA out of Lafayette has been investigating the suspects for the past two years, heading a regional effort to crack the ring.

“This multi-agency investigation revealed that members of the criminal organization have been involved in a scheme to bring cocaine and other narcotics into Louisiana from Houston, Texas,” reads the news release.

“According to the indictment, the organization was responsible for distributing the illegal narcotics throughout the Acadiana area, and also transporting money derived from drug sales back to Houston, Texas.”

If convicted, defendants without prior drug convictions face 10 years to life in prison. Those who have previously been convicted of a drug-related felony face a minimum mandatory sentence of 20 years to life.