SLIDELL, La. — The St. Tammany Parish Sheriff's Office Narcotics Unit, along with the Proactive Enforcement Unit, conducted traffic stops on two Florida-registered vehicles along Interstate 12 West on Saturday.
Using the assistance of Homeland Security Investigations and a United States Border Patrol drug detection K-9, detectives discovered and seized 5 kilograms (11 pounds) of fentanyl – with an approximate street value of $388,000 – hidden within secret compartments inside one of the vehicles.
According to the STPSO, four men were arrested and booked into the St. Tammany Parish Correctional Center.
The suspects and charges, include:
Mervin Cruz of Saint Cloud, Fla.
- L.R.S. 40:967AC Possession with the Intent to Distribute Schedule II CDS (Fentanyl)
- L.R.S. 40:966C Possession of Schedule I CDS (Marijuana)
- L.R.S. 32:79 Improper Lane Use
Alexis Cintron of Davenport, Fla.
- L.R.S. 40:967AC Possession with the Intent to Distribute Schedule II CDS (Fentanyl)
- L.R.S. 30:2531 Littering
Shaquan Stridiron of Orlando, Fla.
- L.R.S. 40:967AC Possession with the Intent to Distribute Schedule II CDS (Fentanyl)
Yoscari Lizardo of Kissimmee, Fla.
- L.R.S. 40:967AC Possession with the Intent to Distribute Schedule II CDS (Fentanyl
- L.R.S. 32:104 Turn Signal required
“Fentanyl is a very dangerous drug,” said St, Tammany Sheriff Randy Smith. “This was a very large bust and I am proud of the work the detectives with our Narcotics Division do every day, working with Homeland Security and the Border Patrol to identify and arrest those individuals who are bringing it into our community.”
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