The Vermilion / Municipal Narcotics Task Force recently made three drug related arrests while working street sales disruption cases.

- The first took place after agents received information that a subject by the name of Charles Martin (dob7-5-65) of Crowley, was attempting to purchase crack cocaine. Agents observed Martin and an unknown suspect meet up, and made what looked to be a hand to hand purchase of illicit narcotics. Upon moving in to investigate agents we able to apprehend Martin farther up the road. Martin was advised of his Miranda rights and admitted to purchasing crack cocaine from an unknown person. Martin produced the crack cocaine and was subsequently arrested for possession of cocaine. Total bond set was $5,000.

- In other action agents were patrolling high drug activity areas when they noticed a vehicle pulled over making what looked to be a drug transaction between persons in the vehicle and someone on the street. As agents approached the vehicle, the suspect vehicle left the scene committing a traffic violation, and agents initiated a traffic stop at that time. Upon stopping the vehicle and conducting a brief investigation it was learned that the driver, John Medina (dob 7-25-83) of Erath, purchased suspected marijuana from the person on the street, and that upon agents stopping the car he asked the female suspect in the vehicle, Coby Choate, (dob8-24-74) also of Erath to hide the evidence on her person, which she did. Both parties were taken into custody. Medina was charged with Distribution of Marijuana and contempt of court, total bond set was $5237, while Choate was charged with possession of drug paraphernalia and possession of marijuana and a total bond set of $2,000. Upon agents returning to the area the suspected drug dealer had left the scene.

Sheriff Mike Couvillon would like to thank the following persons for their effort in assisting with Task Force personnel. Abbeville Mayor Mark Piazza, Kaplan Mayor Kirk Champagne, Abbeville Chief of Police Tony Hardy and Kaplan Chief Boyd Adams “I realize times are financially tough all over, but the Mayors and Chiefs of these cities are committed to finding the funds to help the Task Force combat the illicit drugs problem that ruins our communities. The people of Vermilion and our children are the benefactors of these city leaders’ great efforts. It is my hope that in the near future other towns and cities in the parish of Vermilion will be able to assist in the continuing fight against illicit drugs.”

Finally, Sheriff Couvillon would like to applaud the concerned citizens of Vermilion Parish for their awareness and assistance in helping the Sheriff’s Office in fighting the war on illegal drugs. He encourages all citizens with information in regards to illegal drug activities to contact the Vermilion Parish Sheriff’s Office or the Vermilion Parish Municipal Narcotics Task Force at 337-740-4501 or E-mail the Task Force anonymously at taskforce@vpso.net and your e-mail will be held in the “strictest of confidence” and replied to in a very timely manner.

More information on reporting drug activities can be seen on our Web Site at www.vpso.net. Click on Task Force for this information.