2018 traffic stop leads to indictments of 18 on drug charges

NEW ORLEANS (AP) — A November 2018 traffic stop and the resulting discovery of 24 pounds (11 kilograms) of methamphetamine led to an extensive investigation that so far has netted $1 million worth of drugs, more than a dozen firearms and federal charges against 18 suspects, law enforcement officials said Monday.

At a news conference at his New Orleans office, U.S. Attorney Peter Strasser said more arrests are expected. Bradford Byerley, special agent in charge of the New Orleans office of the Drug Enforcement Administration, said the investigation "significantly disrupted a major drug trafficking organization in our area." Byerley said drugs seized included cocaine and heroin as well as meth.

Those charged include residents of Lafourche, Terrebonne and St. John the Baptist parishes in Louisiana and three Texas residents. Some of the indictments date back several months and were only recently unsealed.

The traffic stop that sparked the investigation was made by Louisiana State Police, said Strasser, who provided few other details.

Strasser and Byerley were accompanied by representatives from other federal agencies, state police officials, and representatives from local sheriff's offices. Strasser said he wants the indictments to send a message to drug dealers.

"Know this," he said. "We're going to find you. We're going to take you down. We're going to take you to trial. And if you're convicted at trial you will be spending a good portion of your life in either federal or state prison."