LAPLACE — Police say they know where a group of THC-laced snacks were made but are not releasing that publicly for investigative reasons.

THC, the chemical compound found in marijuana, was found in bags of snacks Monday discovered during a drug investigation at an Interstate 10 hotel in LaPlace.

Authorities suspected something suspicious with the snacks because they all had name, character and logo variations of commonly known brands, as well as cannabis labeling on the packages.

The items in question sported the names “Cannamon Toast Crunch,” “Froot Poofs” and “Weetos.”

Authorities told L’OBSERVATEUR Friday morning they did not know if the items were made illegally, adding THC is illegal in Louisiana to possess or distribute.

The St. John the Baptist Parish Sheriff’s Office released news and pictures of the discovery Thursday, which have created quite a bit of response regionally.

“It’s new to us,” Sheriff Mike Tregre said. “We’ve never dealt with anything like this before, and we’ve become a quick study. I feel like it is a public safety issue. I wouldn’t want a 1- or 2-year-old consuming these alleged harmless snacks.

“If you look at the feedback on social media, it appears to be 50-50. Some people think we are doing a very good job and some people are saying it’s a waste of taxpayers’ dollars.”

Authorities began their investigation at 10:53 p.m. Monday after responding to a hotel in the 4200 block of U.S. 51 for suspicious activity at one of its rooms.

The caller reported excessive traffic to and from the room and the smell of marijuana.

Deputies spoke with two of the room’s tenants and could smell marijuana coming from the room, authorities said.

Narcotics detectives called to the scene searched the room and seized 50 grams of marijuana ($300 value), promethazine syrup (prescription cough medicine known by the street name “lean”), drug paraphernalia used for the sale of illegal narcotics, a handgun and more than $5,000 cash, a release from Tregre said.

“Detectives also seized what appeared to be normal bags of snacks; however, upon closer inspection, detectives noticed name, character, and logo variations of commonly known brands of snacks as well as cannabis labeling on the packages,” Tregre said. “Tests revealed the snacks included THC, the chemical compound found in marijuana.”

Sgt. Dane Clement said authorities are not releasing the name of the hotel because they believe the business had nothing to do with the alleged crimes.

Four men were arrested at the scene, all from St. John the Baptist Parish.

Cortaz Williams, 21, of Reserve is charged with battery of a police officer, possession of drug paraphernalia, obstruction of justice, possession with intent to distribute marijuana, distribution of a legend drug without a prescription and illegal carrying of a weapon with CDS. He was released from custody on an $119,000 bond.

Clement said Williams resisted arrest in some manner during the investigation, but there was no report of injuries.

Everette Taylor, 26, of Reserve is charged with possession of drug paraphernalia, obstruction of justice, possession with intent to distribute marijuana, distribution of a legend drug without a prescription and illegal carrying of a weapon with CDS.

As of Friday morning, he remained in custody in lieu of an $114,000 bond.

Keenan Cambre, 25, of LaPlace is charged with possession of drug paraphernalia, obstruction of justice, possession with intent to distribute marijuana, distribution of a legend drug without a prescription and illegal carrying of a weapon with CDS.

He was released from custody on an $114,000 bond.

Jairen Kendrick, 25, of Reserve is charged with possession of drug paraphernalia, obstruction of justice, possession with intent to distribute marijuana, distribution of a legend drug without a prescription and illegal carrying of a weapon with CDS.

He was released from custody on an $114,000 bond.

— Staff writers Raquel Derganz Baker and Stephen Hemelt contributed to this report.