ALEXANDRIA, La. — One man at the center of what local authorities said was among the biggest drug busts in Concordia Parish history was found guilty in federal court recently.

Cedrick D. Saulsberry, 27, of Ferriday, was found guilty of possession with intent to distribute powder cocaine, possession with intent to distribute crack cocaine, possession with intent to distribute marijuana and possession of a firearm in furtherance of drug trafficking.

The Concordia Parish Narcotics Task Force confiscated nearly $200,000 worth of illegal narcotics in August 2010 following the arrests of Saulsberry and three other men.

“Saulsberry was a problem in our area for a good while, and I’m pleased that the federal authorities were able to achieve justice,” Concordia Parish Sheriff Randy Maxwell said. “Maybe while spending time in jail, he can devote a little time to re-think his ways and turn his life around.”

Law enforcement officials reportedly found, in 2010, a significant amount of marijuana hidden in a barbecue pit at Saulsberry’s residence, 709 Sixth St., in Ferriday, where they also found a brick of cocaine in a bedroom.

In addition, they reportedly found hydrocodone and Xanax, crack cocaine rocks, 2.4 pounds of marijuana, 1.367 kilograms powder cocaine and digital scales in the house, and confiscated guns and a bullet-proof vest.

At the time, Saulsberry had to be transported to a local hospital because he allegedly tried to consume some of the drugs at the time of arrest.

Saulsberry’s sentencing is scheduled for Dec. 9. He faces a sentence of a minimum of five years incarceration to a maximum of 40 years incarceration, a $2 million fine and up to four years supervised release following confinement, to be followed by an additional five years in prison for the conviction related to the firearms.

Maxwell said he hopes Saulsberry is sentenced to the maximum sentence allowed by law.

Narcotics Task Force Lt. Chris Groh said Friday he hopes the result of this case sends out a message to those who have intentions of distributing narcotics in Concordia Parish.

“This is proof that teamwork and cooperation among agencies can effectively rid the area of the overwhelming drug sales that not only plague our parish, but the entire nation,” Groh said.

The case was investigated by the FBI, the Concordia Parish Sheriff’s Office, the Ferriday Police Department and Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives.

The U.S. Attorney’s office prosecuted the case and released information about the trial late last week.