Sheriff’s Office, LEAD make drug arrests

Local drug agents arrested another man in a continuing round-up of suspected drug dealers who allegedly sold drugs to law enforcement officers in an undercover operation last year, a spokesman said.

Chief Criminal Deputy Stephen Engolio of the Iberville Sheriff’s Office said Todd Smith, 33, of 10760 Pine Street, Maringouin, was arrested last week on a warrant for distribution of cocaine.

The warrant was issued in connection with an undercover operation conducted by the Law Enforcement Against Drugs (LEAD) Task Force, a joint effort of the Sheriff’s Office and the Plaquemine City Police.

Smith was released a day after his arrest on a $60,000 bond set by District Judge Alvin Batiste Jr.

In other action last week, the Sheriff’s Office arrested David J. Smith, 18, of Baton Rouge on a charge of possession with intent to distribute marijuana, Engolio said.

He said a citizen flagged a deputy down at Third and Barrow streets last Thursday to report a man causing a disturbance.

The deputy found David Smith shouting obscenities at another man, Engolio said. He alleged that when the officer patted the suspect down for weapons, he found two bags of marijuana that Smith admitted he was going to sell.

David Smith was released the day of his arrest on a $20,000 bond set by Judge Batiste.