Search of Berwick home yields drug arrests

Two men were arrested on drug charges Wednesday after St. Mary Parish Sheriff’s Office narcotics detectives searched a Berwick home and found marijuana and pills inside, Sheriff Mark Hebert said in a news release.
—Gene Stratton Jr., 28, of the 3300 block of Fourth Street in Berwick, was arrested at 7:32 p.m. Wednesday on the charges of possession of marijuana with intent to distribute, possession of tramadol and possession of drug paraphernalia.
—Herbert Fontenot Jr., 43, of the 100 block of Country Village Drive in Bayou L’Ourse, was arrested at 7:32 p.m. Wednesday on the charge of possession of Legend Drugs (Flexeril and Zorvolex).
Narcotics division detectives conducted a search warrant at Stratton’s home and located marijuana, tramadol pills, and items of drug paraphernalia, Hebert said. Detectives also located Flexeril and Zorvolex pills in a pill bottle for which Fontenot could not provide a prescription. Both Stratton and Fontenot were booked into parish jail. Fontenot was released on $1,000 bail, and Stratton was released on $10,000 bail.
Hebert reported responding to 33 complaints in the parish and reported the following arrest in east St. Mary Parish:
—Chance Landry, 26, of the 200 block of Aristile Road in Bayou L’Ourse, was arrested at 9:55 a.m. Wednesday on a warrant charging him with monetary instrument abuse. A detective investigating a February complaint collected evidence that Landry cashed a counterfeit check in the amount of $2,356.87 at a business in Amelia.
Landry turned himself in to the detective at the St. Mary Parish Sheriff’s Office in Morgan City and was booked into parish jail. Landry was released after posting $750 bail.
Morgan City Police Chief James Blair reported the following arrests:
—Donvin W. Mingo, 40, of Bowman Street in Morgan City, was arrested at 5:34 p.m. Wednesday on the charges of possession of marijuana second offense and violation of uniform controlled dangerous substance laws.
An officer responded to a local business on Brashear Avenue in regard to a call of a person sleeping inside a vehicle. The officer arrived and a vehicle matching the description provided was located with a person who appeared to be sleeping.
The officer made contact with the person, identified as Mingo. Mingo’s behavior made officers suspicious that he may be involved in illegal drug activity. Police searched the vehicle and located suspected marijuana. The location of the incident was within the area of a local elementary school in violation of uniform controlled dangerous substance laws. Mingo was jailed.
—Darryl J. Lagarde, 58, of Maine Street in Houma, was arrested at 10:25 p.m. Wednesday on the charges of driving under suspension, no turn signal and improper lighting.
A patrolling officer observed a vehicle with improper rear lighting fail to use a turn signal and conducted a traffic stop. The driver, Lagarde, had a suspended driver’s license. Lagarde was jailed.
—David Aucoin Jr., 19, of Egle Street in Morgan City, was arrested at 3:42 a.m. today on the charge of appearing in public in an intoxicated condition.
A patrolling officer came into contact with a person walking in the area of Brashear Avenue near Seventh Street, identified as Aucoin. During conversations, Aucoin was suspected to have been drinking and appeared to be intoxicated. Aucoin was jailed.
Berwick Police Chief James Richard reported no arrests.
Patterson Police Chief Patrick LaSalle reported no arrests.