LAPLACE — A fourth man was arrested this week following a drug bust at a LaPlace home that netted more than $16,000 worth of marijuana.

St. John the Baptist Parish Sheriff’s Office narcotics detectives executed a search warrant April 27 on a house in the 300 block of Magnolia Avenue in LaPlace.

Sheriff Mike Tregre said in a release that detectives initiated an investigation after the United States Postal Service notified authorities a package believed to contain marijuana was being shipped to the residence.

“When detectives executed the search warrant at the residence, detectives detained Jarrell Stafford outside the residence and recovered approximately one pound of marijuana — worth $3,000 — in the front waistband of his pants,” Tregre said, adding detectives also recovered approximately four and half pounds of marijuana, worth $13,500, from the residence.

“The seizure of marijuana is always a win for the community when it is kept off the streets of our parish,” Tregre said. “Although the street value, $16,500, of the marijuana recovered is a substantial amount of money to the average person, the seizure is a small victory in keeping St. John safe. I applaud our narcotics detectives for working with the United States Postal Services Inspectors to crack down on drugs coming into the parish by mail.”

In addition to the marijuana, detectives recovered a shotgun from the bedroom of Nicholas Flournoy and a handgun from the bedroom of David Flournoy.

Detectives arrested three subjects at the residence:

· Nicholas Flournoy, 22, 315 Magnolia Drive, LaPlace, was booked with possession with intent to distribute marijuana, illegal carrying of a weapon with CDS, illegal possession of a firearm by a convicted felon and illegal use of CDS in the presence of a juvenile. He remains in custody in lieu of an $85,000 bond.

· David Flournoy, 25, 315 Magnolia Drive in LaPlace, was booked with possession with intent to distribute marijuana, illegal carrying of a weapon with CDS and illegal use of CDS in the presence of a juvenile.

He was released from jail on May 1 on an $80,000 bond.

· Jarrell Stafford, 19, 725 Gardenia St. in LaPlace, was booked with possession with intent to distribute marijuana and possession of drug paraphernalia.

He remains in custody in lieu of a $41,500 bond.

“Over the course of the investigation, detectives identified David Cable Jr., 25, as a subject who fled from the residence when detectives arrived,” Tregre said.

“Detectives obtained a judicial court ordered arrest warrant for Cable for distribution of schedule I CDS.”

Cable, of 316 Magnolia Drive in LaPlace, surrendered Monday and remains in custody in lieu of a $50,000 bond.

Tregre said the investigation continues, adding “the way it’s looking it will lead us to other suspects.”