By ROBIN SHANNON

L’Observateur

LAPLACE – An undercover operation in LaPlace Thursday netted two men who were in possession of more than $5,000 in illegal drugs, according to a release from the St. John Sheriff’s Office.

Eugene Schofield Jr., 20, of 286 East 13th St. in Reserve, was arrested when he was found to be in possession of 200 tablets of ecstacy and a small amount of marijuana, said Capt. Dane Clement, public information officer for the Sheriff’s Office. Clement said detectives estimated the street value of the seized narcotics was around $5,000.

St. John authorities also arrested Kentrell Bailey, 26, of 2921 Yorktowne Drive in LaPlace after detectives found him in possession of marijuana and a handgun. Clement said investigators later learned through a weapon check that the handgun was recently reported stolen in St. John Parish.

According to the release from the Sheriff’s Office, Schofield was charged with possession with intent to distribute ecstacy and possession of marijuana. He remains jailed at the Sherman Walker Correctional Facility in LaPlace in lieu of a $36,500 bond. Clement said Schofield has prior drug convictions in St. John Parish.

Bailey, who has prior drug and burglary convictions, was charged with possession of a stolen firearm, possession of a concealed weapon by a convicted felon, possession of a firearm while in possession of a controlled substance and possession of marijuana. He was released Monday after posting a portion of his $31,500 bond, Clement said.