Three arrests are made to wrap up undercover investigation

By MOLLY DRYMAN

Staff Reporter

MT. AIRY — Three arrests were made recently in an attempt to get major drug dealers off the streets of Mt. Airy, resulting in the seizure of an estimated $450,000 worth of cocaine and marijuana.

Therrel Edwards, 33, of Mt. Airy, Denzil Carter, 33, of Houston and Patrick Jones, 23, of Mt. Airy, were arrested on Dec. 31 after an extensive investigation in the Marigold Street area of Mt. Airy.

&#8220Edwards has been a drug dealer for a long time,” said St. John Parish Sheriff Wayne L. Jones.

&#8220He was on the top of our list for distributing drugs in our community. It is beneficial to the community that we got the main supplier in this area. It was a job well done by our investigators.”

Capt. Octavio Gonzalez, commander of narcotics for the St. John Parish Sheriff’s Office, Bureau of Narcotics, said they have know about Edwards for quite some time.

&#8220We’ve been watching him through surveillance, and heavily the past two months,” Gonzalez said. &#8220We felt now was the time to take him down.”

During the investigation, a traffic stop was made that involved all three individuals. Edwards had 30 grams of cocaine and a semiautomatic handgun.

&#8220They were subsequently arrested and charged with possession over 28 grams of cocaine, possession of a firearm by a convicted felon, possession of a firearm with controlled dangerous substances and possession of a CDS within a school zone,” Gonzalez stated.

After the arrest, officials raided Edwards home, which was the apartment above his parents’ garage, according to Gonzalez.

&#8220Agents recovered approximately four kilograms of cocaine,” Gonzales said. &#8220We also found approximately 2.5 pounds of marijuana and $14,000 in cash.”

According to Gonzalez, all three individuals are convicted felons with extensive history involving drug trafficking and firearm violation.

&#8220This is one of the top seizures of the parish,” Gonzalez said.

&#8220It’s the second or third largest, and thanks to the undercover investigation and community involvement, Mt. Airy will be quiet for a while,” he added.

All three are imprisoned at the Sherman Walker Correctional Facility in LaPlace. Edwards bond was set at $352,750, Carter’s at $290,000 and Jones at $140,000 all set by Judge Sterling Snowdy.