(Editor’s note: This story will be updated in greater detail later today)

LAPLACE — A father, son and a friend of the family — all convicted felons — were arrested Friday in connection to illegal gun possession and illegal drug activity in St. John the Baptist Parish, authorities said.

Those arrested include Craig A. Lee Sr., 51, and Craig Lee Jr., 30, both of LaPlace, and Devonte Johnson of Garyville.

In early April, investigators with the St. John Parish Sheriff’s Office Special Operations Division started receiving complaints about the whereabouts of Craig Lee Jr., a convicted felon known to officers from previous investigations into crimes of violence and drug distribution.

Lee Jr. had several active warrants for his arrest stemming from other major investigations in 2013 and 2014, including the distribution, manufacturing and possession of crack cocaine.

Detectives believed Lee Jr. once again was in possession of several firearms and illegal narcotics.

Based on investigation, detectives began conducting surveillance in the 1500 block of Cambridge Drive in LaPlace at the residence of Craig Lee Jr. and his father, Craig Lee Sr., who was believed to be assisting his son evade law enforcement detection, as well as allowing narcotics and weapons to be stored at his house.

While conducting surveillance, detectives observed Lee Jr. and Johnson conducting illegal drug activity at Lee Sr. and Jr.’s residence.

Johnson, a convicted felon on drug and other violent crimes, was recently arrested by the Special Operations Division after a vehicle pursuit and charged with illegal drug possession. Johnson was out on bond from this incident.

Based on investigation, detectives obtained a search warrant for the residence of Craig Lee Jr.

On Friday, at approximately 2 a.m., the St. John Sheriff’s Office SWAT Team and Special Operations Division executed the search warrant. Upon entry into the residence, Lee Jr. surrendered.

Johnson, who was also inside the residence, attempted to escape though a bedroom window but eventually surrendered.

Officers also discovered that Lee Jr. had two loaded AR-15 rifles and a loaded handgun within arms’ reach before the SWAT Team entered.

Searching the residence, detectives located more guns and illegal drugs scattered throughout the rooms.

Detectives discovered five handguns (two rifles and three handguns) today, including a stolen gun; about eight grams of cocaine, one gram of methamphetamine, about 20 dosage units of Xanax, about two grams of marijuana, about two grams of heroin, two dosage units of amphetamine and drug distribution equipment.

All recovered narcotics excluding the marijuana and amphetamines were packaged and stored for retail sale.

Craig Lee Sr., who arrived at the home after the raid and was arrested, was booked with possession with intent to distribute cocaine (felony), possession with intent to distribute methamphetamine (felony), possession with intent to distribute Xanax (Alprazolam) (felony), possession with intent to distribute heroin, five counts of possession of a firearm/carrying a concealed weapon by a convicted felon (felony), possession/dealing in unregistered/illegally transferred weapons, (felony), illegal possession of a stolen firearm, possession of amphetamine less than 28 grams, (felony), five counts of illegal carrying of weapon with a controlled dangerous substance, possession or distribution of drug paraphernalia 1^st offense and possession of marijuana 1st offense.

He posted a $363,000 bond and was released the same day. Lee Sr. has been arrested 15 times since 1987 in St. John Parish.

Craig Lee Jr. was arrested for five counts of illegal carrying of a weapon with controlled dangerous substance, five counts of possession of a firearm/carrying a concealed weapon by a convicted felon (felony), possession of marijuana 1st offense possession or distribution of drug paraphernalia 1st offense, possession with intent to distribute methamphetamine (felony), possession with intent to distribute Xanax (Alprazolam) (felony), possession with intent to distribute heroin (felony), possession with intent to distribute cocaine (felony), illegal possession of stolen firearm, possess/dealing in unregistered/illegally transferred weapons (felony) and violation of probation/parole.

Lee Jr. is being held in custody in lieu of a $745,500 bond.

Lee Jr. has been arrested more than times since 20 times since 2006 in St. John Parish.

Johnson is charged with possession with intent to distribute heroin, possession with intent to distribute Xanax (Alprazolam) (felony), possession with intent to distribute methamphetamine (felony), possession of cocaine less than 28 grams (felony), five counts of possession of a firearm/carrying a concealed weapon by a convicted felon (felony), Possess/dael in unregistered/illegally transferred weapons (felony), illegal possession of a stolen firearm, possession of amphetamine less than 28 grams (felony), five counts of illegal carrying of a weapon with controlled dangerous substance, possession or distribution of drug paraphernalia 1^st offense and possession of marijuana 1st offense.

Johnson has been transferred to the Catahoula Correctional Center. He has been arrested more than 10 times since 2012 in St. John Parish.

The arrests of more suspects are pending.

Information provided by the community led to the arrest of Lee Sr. and Jr. and Johnson, Sheriff Mike Tregre said, adding he strongly encourages residents to keep tips coming in reference to this case, as well as other illegal drug activity in the community.

Anyone with information regarding this case is encouraged to call the Sheriff’s Office TIPS line at 985 -359-TIPS.

Citizens can also submit tips at stjohnsheriff.org/submitatip.php.