Drug case leads to counterfeiting charges

Staff Report
Six people were caught Friday by Morgan City Police in a motel with methamphetamine and ecstasy pills, and some of the suspects were also accused of making and distributing counterfeit money in other parishes and in Mississippi, according to a Morgan City Police news release.
—Jordy L. Smith, 49, of Thibodaux, was arrested at 12:21 p.m. Friday on the charges of obstructing public passage, improper lane usage, possession of Schedule II methamphetamine (more than 28 grams) with intent to distribute, possession of Schedule I MDMA-ecstasy with the intent to distribute, possession of Schedule III Xanax, possession of drug paraphernalia and monetary instrument abuse.
—D’Andre R. Rivers, 24, of Tampa, Florida, was arrested at 12:21 p.m. Friday on the charges of possession of Schedule II methamphetamine (more than 28 grams) with intent to distribute, possession of Schedule I MDMA-ecstasy with the intent to distribute, possession of drug paraphernalia and monetary instrument abuse and transactions involving proceeds from controlled dangerous substance activity.
—Mark Rivera, 21, of Tampa, Florida, was arrested at 12:21 p.m. Friday on the charges of possession of Schedule II methamphetamine (more than 28 grams) with intent to distribute, possession of Schedule I MDMA-ecstasy with the intent to distribute, possession of Schedule III Xanax, monetary instrument abuse and possession of drug paraphernalia.
– Jonathon Turnage, 21, of Golden Meadow, was arrested at 12:21 p.m. Friday on the charge of possession of Schedule II methamphetamine (more than 28 grams) with intent to distribute, possession of Schedule I MDMA-ecstasy with the intent to distribute, possession of Schedule III Xanax, monetary instrument abuse and possession of drug paraphernalia.
—Regianna L. Jones, 24, of Tampa, Florida, was arrested at 12:21 p.m. Friday on the charges of possession of Schedule II methamphetamine (more than 28 grams) with intent to distribute, possession of Schedule I MDMA-ecstasy with the intent to distribute, possession of marijuana, monetary instrument abuse and possession of drug paraphernalia.
—Xavijuanca Wilson, 21, of New Orleans, was arrested at 12:21 p.m. Friday on the charges of possession of Schedule II methamphetamine, possession of Schedule I MDMA-ecstasy and possession of Schedule III Xanax.
Morgan City Police officers were dispatched to a motel on Martin Luther King Jr. Boulevard regarding suspected narcotics activity.
As a result of the investigation, several people were located along with various types of illegal narcotics. Investigators also recovered counterfeit $100 bills which were also seized, police said.
The smell of marijuana from the room alerted officers to the suspected illegal narcotics activity taking place. Officers located several subjects inside the room and were able to apprehend others who were observed leaving the room as officers arrived. Smith, Rivers, Rivera, Turnage, Jones, and Wilson were detained.
Patrol officers gained consent to search the motel room at which time they located what appeared to be more than 5 ounces of methamphetamine, police said. Officers requested assistance from Morgan City Police Department narcotics investigators and detectives after securing the scene.
Detectives learned during the investigation that some of the suspects are suspected of distributing and manufacturing of counterfeit money within other Louisiana parishes and Mississippi, police said.
Anyone with information regarding this incident or another crime is asked to contact the Morgan City Police Department at 985-384-2310, the local law enforcement agency or 911.