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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