LEONARD GRAY / L’Observateur / April 7, 2000

HAHNVILLE – More suspected street-level cocaine dealers are rounded up as part of “Operation April Fools,” which began Tuesday.

A total of 27 suspects were being sought. As of press time, a total of 18are in custody, according to Capt. Patrick Yoes.”We want to keep them off-balance,” Sheriff Greg C. Champagnecommented.

Champagne said this roundup is a follow-up to the Feb. 11 drug racketeeringcase which lassoed 22 suspects in the Des Allemands area.

The charges include distribution of cocaine, possession of marijuana and possession of drug paraphernalia, aimed at street-level crack cocaine dealers.

The latest arrestees include: Willie Sumlin III, 39, 300 Alexander St., Boutte, three counts distribution ofcocaine.

Clifton Blue, 24, 901 E. Macadoo St., New Sarpy, distribution of cocaine. Derrick Armstrong, 19, 358 Second St., St. Rose, possession of cocaine. Darren Gullage, 31, 153 Killona Drive, Killona, false presentation of crack cocaine and possession of drug paraphernalia.

Fred Nichols, 21, 14403 Louisiana Highway 631, Paradis, possession of cocaine, possession of drug paraphernalia and illegal possession of Diazepam.

Milton Slicker, 22, 14493 Louisiana Highway 631, Paradis, possession of drug paraphernalia and second-offense possession of marijuana.

Penny Smith, 41, 602 Paul Fredrick St., Luling, distribution of cocaine. Richard Turner, 47, 339 Acorn St., Boutte, distribution of cocaine.”Originally, we wanted to do it after Mardi Gras but we had to wait for available cells,” Yoes continued, and added that problem should be relieved by the completion of the new parish correction center, now under construction on Louisiana Highway 3127 near Killona.

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