By Monique Roth
L’Observateur

LAPLACE — A tip from a concerned citizen led to nearly $2,000 worth of drugs, including cocaine and hydrocodone, being taken off the local drug circuit.

Authorities said St. John the Baptist Parish Sheriff’s Office narcotics detectives executed a judicial court ordered search warrant Wednesday at a home in the 2500 block of Virginian Colony Avenue in LaPlace.

Detectives initiated the investigation July 22 after receiving information from a vigilant resident that Joshua Fleming, 25, was selling illegal narcotics from the location.

A release from the Sheriff’s Office said detectives obtained and executed a search warrant for the residence after a two-week investigation.

Once at the house, detectives recovered 16.5 grams of crack cocaine, 1.3 grams of powder cocaine and 12 doses of hydrocodone.

Sgt. Dane Clement said the street value of the recovered narcotics totaled $1,790.

Fleming was arrested and charged with possession of hydrocodone, possession with intent to distribute schedule II CDS, three counts of illegal use of a controlled drug in the presence of juveniles, possession of drug paraphernalia and violation of the uniform controlled dangerous substance law drug free zone.

Clement said there were three juveniles present at the home with Fleming at the time of his arrest.

He remains in custody in lieu of a $49,000 bond.