Counterfeit crack cocaine discovered after traffic stop

Two men were found with counterfeit crack cocaine and methamphetamine after they were stopped in a vehicle for failing to signal a turn Thursday afternoon in Morgan City, St. Mary Parish Sheriff Mark Hebert said in a news release.
—Craig Albarado, 50, of the 600 block of Leona Street in Morgan City, was arrested at 4:48 p.m. Thursday for possession of methamphetamine with intent to distribute and violation of a controlled dangerous substance law (drug free zone).
—George Harvey, 32, of the 1000 block of Ramos Street in Siracusaville, was arrested at 4:48 p.m. Thursday for possession of methamphetamine with intent to distribute, possession of a counterfeit controlled dangerous substance and violation of a controlled dangerous substance law (drug free zone).
Sheriff’s office narcotics detectives patrolling the Morgan City area observed a vehicle on Terrebonne Street fail to signal a turn and conducted a traffic stop, Hebert said. Detectives made contact with the occupants of vehicle, Albarado and Harvey, who both began fidgeting inside the vehicle, Hebert said.
During the subsequent investigation, detectives recovered a bag of methamphetamine. Detectives also located a cellophane bag containing counterfeit crack cocaine belonging to Harvey, the sheriff said. Albarado and Harvey were both jailed with no bail set.
Hebert reported responding to 45 complaints in the parish and reported the following arrests in east St. Mary Parish:
—Demarcus McNeal, 17, of Morgan City, was charged at 10:52 a.m. Thursday on a warrant for probation violation. A deputy with the St. Mary Parish Sheriff’s Office Warrants Division served the warrant dated Sept. 3 at the St. Mary Parish Law Enforcement Center where McNeal is incarcerated.
—Jermaine Gaskins, 34, of the 100 block of Friendship Alley in Amelia, was arrested at 3:32 p.m. Thursday on a warrant for failure to appear on the charge of domestic abuse battery and on a warrant for failure to appear on the charge of criminal neglect of family. A deputy located Gaskins at a business on La. 70 in Morgan City on the warrants. Gaskins was jailed with no bail set.
—April L. Aucoin, 34, of the 600 block of Leona Street in Morgan City, was arrested at 10:05 p.m. Thursday on a warrant for possession of methamphetamine and drug paraphernalia.
Narcotics detectives executed a search warrant at a residence in the 600 block of Leona Street in Morgan City and located methamphetamine and several items of drug paraphernalia including syringes and baggies.
Aucoin was not present at the time of the search warrant and an arrest warrant was obtained for her arrest, the sheriff said. Aucoin was later located at a residence on Cremo Lane in Patterson. Aucoin was jailed with no bail set.
Morgan City Police Chief Michael Banks reported the following arrests:
—Bradley Thibodeaux, 22, of Washington, was arrested at 1:51 p.m. Thursday for reckless operation of a motor vehicle.
Police received a complaint of a reckless driver coming into Morgan City. Officers were given a description of a white pick-up truck that was last seen taking the Brashear Avenue exit into Morgan City. An officer observed a vehicle matching the description change lanes without using a turn signal, and was cutting other drivers off the roadway almost causing an accident, Banks said.
Police followed the vehicle as it was getting on U.S. 90 heading westbound and observed the vehicle crossing the double yellow line and almost collide with another vehicle. Morgan City police then conducted a traffic stop on the vehicle in the city limits of Berwick. Upon speaking to the driver, Thibodeaux, he told the officers he had been awake for over two days, Banks said. Thibodeaux was jailed.
—Demarcus Skipper, 19, of Patterson, was arrested at 2:49 p.m. Thursday on a warrant for failure to appear to pay fine.
Skipper was located in the City Court of Morgan City where he was placed under arrest on the outstanding warrant. Skipper was jailed and released on $300.
Berwick Police Chief James Richard reported no arrests.
Patterson Police Chief Patrick LaSalle reported no arrests.