Leader Of Acadiana Drug Trafficking Group Sentenced To 19 Years In Prison

Eric Joseph Alexander of Lafayette pleaded guilty in December of 2008 for his role in leading a drug trafficking group that distributed crack and marijuana into the Lafayette-New Iberia area. The investigation, initiated in 2004, revealed that Alexander received hundreds of pounds of marijuana and between 5 to 40 kilograms of cocaine per month from his sources of supply in Mexico and the Rio Grande Valley of Texas for distribution into Acadiana.

Court documents say a large portion of the cocaine received was converted into “crack,” before being distributed in Acadiana. Prosecutors say Alexander’s drug trafficking organization used a variety of couriers to receive and transport the controlled substances to end-line distributors in Acadiana. In order to conceal the narcotics, Alexander used a local after-market automobile store, B&M Auto Sound and 4x4, to construct secret compartments in vehicles used by his organization when transporting the drugs.

Barry Neveu, co-owner of B&M Auto Sound and 4x4, was sentenced to 10 years of probation on conspiracy to commit money laundering and witness tampering charges.

Fourteen other people have been sentenced for their roles in the organization. Two others will be sentenced at a later date.