Three men arrested following Houma drug bust

Disclaimer: All persons are presumed innocent until proven guilty.

HOUMA, La. ( WGNO ) — Three men have been arrested and charged in connection with a Houma drug investigation that took place in late August.

According to the Terrebonne Parish Sheriff’s Office, during a series of traffic stops conducted by the TPSO’s Narcotics Division, a vehicle was pulled over for a traffic violation around Columbus and Eliza streets.

Agents reportedly approached the vehicle and identified the passengers as 55-year-old Edward Charles Alvis, 45-year-old Randell Anthony Jules and 45-year-old Darryl Joseph Lagarde Jr. Agents also allegedly saw signs of illegal drug activity in the car, particularly, drug paraphernalia, and called for a K-9 unit.

While waiting for the K-9 unit, deputies said they learned that Jules was allegedly wanted on several outstanding warrants. He was then arrested. When they searched him, agents allegedly found illegal medication.

Further investigation led to the alleged discovery of $1,500 cash in Lagarde’s pocket, as well as drug paraphernalia and suspected crack cocaine in Alvis’s possession. TPSO officials said Alvis was also found to be wanted on outstanding arrest warrants, and he was also taken into custody.

Upon arrival of a Houma Police Department K-9 officer, an open-air sniff indicated that there were drugs in the vehicle. During a search of the vehicle, TPSO agents said they found evidence of cocaine, crack cocaine, heroin, illegal prescription medication and multiple pieces of drug paraphernalia consistent with drug distribution.

Agents reportedly “observed numerous indicators” that Lagarde was responsible for the illegal substances in the vehicle. He was then arrested.

Lagarde was booked into the Terrebonne Parish Criminal Justice Complex on the following charges:

• Possession with the intent to distribute heroin
• Possession with the intent to distribute CDS II (crack cocaine)
• Possession with the intent to distribute CDS II (cocaine)
• Possession with the intent to distribute CDS II (hydrocodone)
• Possession with the intent to distribute CDS II (Lortab)
• Distribution of a CDS II (Lortab)
• Possession with the intent to distribute CDS IV (Alprazolam)
• Possession with the intent to distribute CDS IV (Diazepam)
• Possession of drug paraphernalia.
• Transactions involving proceeds from drug offenses.
• A traffic related violation.

Lagarde was being held on a $50,000 bond and was later released.

Jules was booked into the Terrebonne Parish Criminal Justice Complex on charges of possession of a CDS II and five unrelated outstanding warrants for failure to appear. He remains jailed on a $33,600 bond.

Alvis was booked into the Terrebonne Parish Criminal Justice Complex on charges of possession of a CDS II, possession of drug paraphernalia and four unrelated outstanding warrants for failure to appear. He remains jailed on a $10,000 bond.

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