Ferriday residents willingly give up drugs in bust

Published 12:05 am Tuesday, June 25, 2013

FERRIDAY — Two Ferriday residents willingly allowed law enforcement officials to seize 51 grams of marijuana and 21 grams of crack cocaine Sunday from their Sixth Street house.

Concordia Parish Sheriff’s Office Chief Deputy David Hedrick said at 7 p.m. Sunday Concordia Parish Narcotics Task Force agents responded to multiple calls of drug activity in the 700 block of Sixth Street.

Agents initially spoke to Shanta R. Chest, 21, who told them she was alone in the house and voluntarily agreed to give the officials the drugs she had, Hedrick said.

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After Chest was unable to locate them inside, Hedrick said Derrick L. Lewis, 36, walked down the stairs and showed the officials where the drugs were hidden.

“The agents seized 51 grams of marijuana, 21 grams of crack cocaine that was packaged to sell, a variety of pills, and digital scales,” Hedrick said. “They were completely cooperative with the agents.”

Chest, 700 6th St., Ferriday, was charged with probation and parole violation, possession of scheduled I narcotics with intent, possession of schedule II narcotics with intent, possession of schedule IV narcotics with intent, possession of schedule III narcotics, possession of drug paraphernalia, possession of legend drug without prescription (five counts).

A legend drug is required by federal or state law to be dispensed to the public only on prescription of a licensed physician.

Lewis, 700 6th St., Ferriday, was charged with possession of scheduled I narcotics with intent, possession of scheduled II narcotics with intent, possession drug paraphernalia, possession of legend drug without prescription (five counts), possession of schedule III narcotics and possession of scheduled of schedule IV narcotics with intent.

Chest and Lewis remained in the courthouse jail as late Monday — each was given a $15,000 bond.

Sheriff Kenneth Hedrick commended the agents’ work to curb the selling and using of drugs in the parish.

“We will remain vigilant in the pursuit of illegal narcotic activity to keep the residents on this parish safe,” Kenneth Hedrick said.