During the course of an undercover investigation being conducted by the St. Bernard Sheriff’s Office Special Investigations Division Narcotics Unit, a Chalmette man was arrested for distribution of heroin, and a large amount of heroin was seized, along with other narcotics and $2,800 in cash, Sheriff James Pohlmann said.
Marvin Richards, 42, of the 3500 block of Marietta Street, was booked Jan. 11 with possession with the intent to distribute heroin, possession of marijuana, possession of Naloxone, possession of Lorazepam, possession of drug paraphernalia and no turn signal.
After Narcotics Unit agents obtained information through an anonymous source that Richards was distributing heroin in St. Bernard, they observed Richards make two separate hand-to-hand transactions with other individuals, Sheriff Pohlmann said.
Following one of those transactions, agents observed Richards commit a traffic violation by failing to use hand or lamp signals during a turn and they performed a traffic stop on his vehicle.
During the traffic stop, Richards gave agents consent to search his vehicle at which time they recovered one clear plastic bag and seven individual bags containing a total of 17 grams of heroin, which has an approximate street value of $1,700.
Based on their findings, agents obtained a search warrant for Richards’ residence, where they recovered additional heroin, marijuana, Naloxone, Lorazepam, $2,800 in cash and drug paraphernalia, including clear plastic bags and three digital scales, the Sheriff said.
Richards is being held in St. Bernard Parish Prison in lieu of a $72,000 bond.
Sheriff Pohlmann reminds residents to call the Sheriff’s Office narcotics hotline at (504) 271-DOPE or 3673 to report suspected illegal drug activity in St. Bernard Parish. Callers can remain anonymous, and all calls will be acted upon.
