Police: 24 arrested in Lake Charles-area cocaine ring bust

LAKE CHARLES, LA (WVUE) - A cocaine distribution investigation that began in the summer of 2013 has led to the arrest of 24 people in the Lake Charles area, according to a news release from Louisiana State Police.

Law enforcement officials from several agencies participated in "Operation 27," so named because one of the principal suspects, 36-year-old Norvell Harris of Iowa, La., has been arrested 26 times. Harris is believed to be the largest street-level drug distributor in the Lake Charles area.

Investigators determined the principal supplier of cocaine in the Lake Charles area is 39-year-old Hayward Lecompte, of Lake Charles. He is thought to be the largest drug wholesaler in Lake Charles.

The investigation uncovered an additional source of large amounts of cocaine being smuggled into Southwest Louisiana from the Southeast Texas region. Police said the discovery will result in additional arrests.

Within one hour, about 150 law enforcement officers served search warrants at 14 locations in Lake Charles Monday morning within one hour.

The subjects arrested, charges, and selected bonds are listed below:

Krisjuana Bellow (22 yrs) of Lake Charles, possession with intent to distribute cocaine (16 counts), bond set at $1,750,000

Herbert Slydell (45 yrs) of Lake Charles, distribution of CDS II (2 counts), conspiracy to distribute CDS II (2 counts), $400,000

Jarvis Anderson (38 yrs) of Lake Charles, possession with intent to distribute cocaine (4 counts), distribution of marijuana (1 count), possession with intent to distribute marijuana (1 count), $805,000

Jahmal Gray (40 yrs) of Lake Charles, conspiracy to distribute CDS II (6 counts), $900,000

Spencer Vito (41 yrs) of Lake Charles, distribution of CDS II (2 counts)

Jonathan Mayo (28 yrs) of Lake Charles, conspiracy to distribute CDS II (5 counts), $750,000

Gregory Eddie (46 yrs) of Lake Charles, conspiracy to distribute CDS II (10 counts), $1,500,000

Chad Gladney (40 yrs) of Lake Charles, conspiracy to distribute CDS III (4 counts), possession of CDS I (3 counts), conspiracy to distribute CDS IV (2 counts), $1,150,000

Jeremy Augustine (28 yrs) of Lake Charles, conspiracy to distribute CDS II (5 counts), $701,000

Shanna Franklin (35 yrs) of Lake Charles, distribution of CDS III (1 count), possession of CDS I (1 count), $30,000

Leo Miller, Sr. (28 yrs) of Lake Charles, conspiracy to possess CDS II (1 count), possession to distribute CDS II crack cocaine (1 count), $150,000

Nathaniel Rankins (38 yrs) of Lake Charles, conspiracy to distribute CDS II (5 counts), $700,000

Janette Ecter (42 yrs) of Lake Charles, conspiracy to possess CDS II (1 count), $150,000

Eric D. Malbrough (39 yrs) of Lake Charles, conspiracy to possess CDS II (3 counts), distribution of CDS II (3 counts), $775,000

Jerry Vallier (50 yrs) of Lake Charles, conspiracy to distribute CDS II (7 counts), $1,050,000

Hayward Lecompte (39 yrs) of Lake Charles, conspiracy to distribute CDS II (11 counts), attempted possession of CDS II over 400 grams (1 count), attempted possession of CDS with intent to distribute over 400 grams (1 count), $4,300,000

Omar Sanchez Arturo (21 yrs) of Houston, TX, conspiracy to distribute CDS II (1 count)

Venancio Ortuno (28 yrs) of Houston, TX, conspiracy to distribute CDS II (1 count), $500,000

Norvell K. Harris (36 yrs) of Iowa, conspiracy to distribute CDS II (65 counts), $12,550,000

Hollie E. Harris (34 yrs) of Iowa, conspiracy to distribute CDS II (9 counts), $40,000

David Moss Jr. (24 yrs) of Lake Charles, conspiracy to distribute cocaine (1 count)

William Plaster (33 yrs) of Sulphur, conspiracy to possess cocaine (1 count), $1,500,000

Jewery B. Webb (46 yrs) of Lake Charles, distribution of crack cocaine (1 count), $175,000

Jerrel L. Webb (35 yrs) of Lake Charles, distribution of crack cocaine (1 count), $20,000

If convicted, each individual faces the possibility of 5 to 30 years in prison. Police said the investigation is continuing and additional arrests are expected.

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