St. John drug bust nets three
Published 12:00 am Monday, June 6, 2005
Two more booked in later disturbance
By MOLLY DRYMAN
Staff Reporter
RESERVE — St. John the Baptist Parish Bureau of Narcotics arrested five individuals Wednesday, three in a drug bust and two for lingering at the scene.
Commander of Narcotics Capt. Octavio R. Gonzales reported that at approximately 1 p.m., first cousins, all from Reserve, Michael Sanders Jr., 23, Torrey Sanders, 27 and Tyrone Sanders, 28, were arrested on 234 East 27th St. in Reserve.
Gonzales said before the arrest around 12:40 p.m. members of the Bureau of Narcotics received information that the three men were in possession of large quantities of narcotics.
“It was a coincidence that Michael was at the house,” Gonzales said. “We had been looking for him since May 25.”
According to Gonzales, on May 25 the bureau was notified for the same reason, and located Michael on East 30th Street in Reserve driving a green Jeep. Michael eluded the members of the Narcotics Division and then lost control of his Jeep and hit a parked vehicle.
“We didn’t arrest him that day, because he fled the area,” Gonzales said. “He was not able to be apprehended by the officers. Judge Mary H. Becnel issued a warrant for Michael on May 31, and his bond was set at $100,000.”
Gonzales said approximately 146 grams of marijuana, three doses of Ecstacy and one .380-caliber Jenning handgun, which was confirmed stolen out of Alabama, was recovered from the Jeep Michael was driving.
“When officials arrived at the scene on June 1, Michael locked himself in the house,” Gonzales said. “The other two were in front, on the property. After several verbal warnings to get Michael out of the house, we had to break down the door, and he tried jumping out the window, but we caught him. It only took maybe 15 minutes to make all the arrests.”
Michael was charged with aggravated flight from an officer, illegal use of weapons during a felony, three counts of distribution and manufacturing of a controlled dangerous substance, illegal possession of stolen firearms and possession of more than 400 grams of marijuana.
Tyrone and Torrey were both charged with distribution and manufacturing of a controlled dangerous substance, possession of marijuana and accessory after the fact to assisting felon.
“They had over $4,000 in cash at the house,” said St. John the Baptist Parish Sheriff Wayne L. Jones. “I don’t know about everyone else, but I don’t have $4,000 sitting around on my dresser.”
Gonzales reported to have recovered approximately 720.18 grams of marijuana, 20.79 grams of cocaine and one dose of ecstacy.
According to Gonzales the other two who were arrested were Darren Wolfe, 24 of Reserve, and Lorenzo Eugene 21 of LaPlace. Wolfe was charged with parole violation and simple assault. Wolfe was to appear in court on June 2 for a past conviction of distribution of controlled dangerous substances. Eugene was charged with illegal possession of stolen firearms, carrying a concealed weapon, resisting an officer and possession of a stolen vehicle.
“These guys were arrested after the other three were arrested,” Gonzales said. “They were hanging around the area causing a bunch of disturbance, threatening the residents.”
Jones said there have been continuous problems like this in this particular area.
“I want to applaud the community for their support,” Jones said. “We are not going to let the drug dealers take over the streets. The older residents in that area are looking out for the younger ones. The drug dealers have zero or no concern of where the dope is going, they just care about selling those dime bags.”
According to Jones, some residents have animosity toward the Sheriff’s Department, because some of the people they bust are relatives.
“This is upsetting to me,” Jones said. “That is what brings down the neighborhood. We are going to have to play aggressive hardball in order to get these guys off the streets. When I went on that street I saw lifelong residents, relatives and friends of these boys and about 20 kids between the ages of 2 and 12-years-old playing right in front of this house. This has got to stop.”
Gonzales said if anyone would like to make a complaint or report any instances like this one they may contact the drug line at (985) 652-DRUG.
“We do not record any of our conversations,” Gonzales said. “The people will remain completely anonymous.”