K-9 Deputies assigned to the Rapides Area Drug Enforcement (RADE) Unit conducted a traffic stop on Oct. 30 on a Chevrolet Silverado for speeding on US 71 South. From their observations, deputies believed the driver, later identified as Darius Damon Johnson, 45, was involved in illegal narcotic activity. At that time, Johnson was advised that they were going to conduct an open air sniff around the truck with the narcotics detection dog.
The narcotics canine gave a positive alert to the presence of narcotics which allowed deputies to further their investigation. As deputies searched the vehicle, they located a plastic bag containing two large plastic zip lock bags behind the back seat which contained suspected methamphetamine.
Deputies weighed the bags which came to approximately 3 1/4 pounds. Due to the large amount of suspected methamphetamine, RADE Agents responded to further their investigation. From their investigation, Agents were able to establish sufficient probable cause to search Johnson’s residence at 1112 US Highway 71 South in Lecompte. A search of Johnsons residence revealed over $5,000 in assorted U.S. currency which was seized as evidence of illegal narcotics sales.
Johnson was placed under arrest and transported to the Rapides Parish Detention Center – 1 where he was booked for possession of CDS II (Methamphetamines) with intent to distribute, speeding, modified exhaust, and a probation violation.
Johnson remains in jail at the time of this release being held on a $50,200 bond as well as the probation violation.
RADE Agents say their investigation is still ongoing.
The Rapides Area Drug Enforcement (RADE) Unit is a multi-jurisdictional team comprised of the Alexandria Police Department, Ball Police Department, Boyce Police Department, Cheneyville Police Department, Forest Hill Police Department, Glenmora Police Department, Grant Parish Sheriff’s Office Lecompte Police Department, McNary Police Department, Pineville Police Department, Rapides Parish Sheriff’s Office, Woodworth Police Department, Grant Parish District Attorney’s Office and the Rapides Parish District Attorney’s Office.
The RADE Unit continues to target individuals suspected of trafficking narcotics in the Central Louisiana area. If you have information or would like to report any narcotics activity, you may do so by sending direct messages to the Rapides Area Drug Enforcement Facebook page at https://www.facebook.com/RADEunit/.
Arrestee:
Darius Damon Johnson, 45
1112 US Highway 71 South, Lecompte
Charges:
speeding
modified exhaust
possession of CDS II (Methamphetamines) with intent to distribute
probation violation