The Vermilion Municipal Drug Task Force received complaints about suspected drug activity out of home on West 10th Street in Kaplan.

Agents opened their investigation, and they made two arrests.

Detectives say when officers arrived at the home with a search warrant, 34-year-old Willie Richard opened the door, spotted the task force members driving up, and he slammed the door.

Agents tried to make their way into the home only to find that someone had barricaded the door with 2x4's.  That's when agents noticed Richard and 28-year-old Alexis Jackson sneaking out of the bathroom.

Detectives say the two were able to successfully flush many of the drugs, but enough was found for agents to make the arrests.

Richard was charged with:

  • Distribution of crack
  • Possession of marijuana
  • Obstruction of justice

Jackson was charged with:

  • Principle to distribution of crack
  • Principle to possession of marijuana
  • Principle to obstruction of justice

In another case the Vermilion/Municipal task force worked, agents conducted a traffic stop of 23-year-old Jabian August's car.

Police say August was attempting to hide something under the seat of his car.  They got permission to search his car, and they say they found a large bag of marijuana.

He was arrested for possession with intent to distribute marijuana.

In the third case, an undercover operation, agents says they arrested 49-year-old Chi Tran of Abbeville for possession of crack, and 50-year-old Thanh Van Tai of Abbeville was charged with principle to possession of crack.

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.”

Finally, Sheriff Couvillon would like to applaud the concerned citizens of Vermilion Parish for their awareness and assistance in helping the Sheriff’s Office in fighting the war on illegal drugs.

He encourages all citizens with information in regards to 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 and your e-mail will be held in the “strictest of confidence” and replied to in a very timely manner.

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