Drug Crackdown In Abbeville

The Vermilion Municipal Narcotics Task Force has been busy again this week with a few drug related arrests.  Officers arrested 31-year-old Travis Bertrand of Abbeville on charges of possession of crack, and possession of drug paraphernalia.  Officers say Bertrand was seen doing a drug deal, and his bond was set at $8,500.

Another Abbeville man was arrested on charges related to the execution of a search warrant in what police say was a narcotics case.  Police arrested 24-year-old Derek Levene on charges of resisting by force, battery on a police officer, and two counts of contempt.  Investigators said Levene showed up to the scene were the search warrant was being executed at an Abbeville address,  and he went into the home during the search.  Officers say he became belligerent, and when asked to leave, he became violent.  They say he began fighting with officers. Agents report they were forced to use a Taser to subdue Levene. Levene's bond was set at $8,000.

Narcotics agents say 26-year-old Kevin Scott of Abbeville was arrested for possession with the intent to distribute marijuana. Agents say when they went to the address above to execute their search warrant, they found Scott in possession of several small bags of suspected marijuana. Scott’s bond was set at $10,000.

Sheriff Mike Couvillon would like to thank the following persons for their effort in assisting with Task Force personnel:

• Abbeville Mayor Mark Piazza
• Kaplan Mayor Kirk Champagne
• Abbeville Chief of Police Tony Hardy
• Kaplan Chief Boyd Adams

Sheriff Couvillon says,

“I realize times are financially tough all over, but the Mayors and Chiefs of these cities are committed to finding the funds to help the Task Force combat the illicit drugs problem that ruins our communities. The people of Vermilion and our children are the benefactors of these city leaders’ great efforts. It is my hope that in the near future other towns and cities in the parish of Vermilion will be able to assist in the continuing fight against illicit drugs.”

The sheriff says he encourages all citizens in Vermilion Parish with information about illegal drug activities to contact the Vermilion Parish Sheriff’s Office or the Vermilion Parish Municipal Narcotics Task Force at 337-740-4501 or E-mail the Task Force anonymously at taskforce@vpso.net.