K-9 deputies assigned to the Rapides Area Drug Enforcement (RADE) Unit arrested Guangyi He, 38, of Pineville, for transporting approximately 51 pounds of high grade marijuana into Rapides Parish for alleged distribution on Dec. 6, 2023.
Agents assigned to RADE concluded a month long investigation on Jan. 5, 2024, into He’s narcotic distribution activities by arresting him and his co-conspirators, for their roles in the large scale distribution of marijuana in Rapides Parish. That investigation yielded a seizure of approximately 66 pounds of high grade marijuana and a cash seizure of approximately $35,000 dollars.
RADE agents continued their investigation into He’s activities and on Feb. 13, with the assistance of U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) and Louisiana State Probation and Parole, executed four search warrants in reference to He’s continued large scale marijuana distribution in Rapides Parish.
RADE Agents, along with Louisiana State Probation and Parole, executed search warrants in the 1800 block of Yale Street, 1900 block of Shannon Drive and the 300 block of LA-1204, Pineville. The fourth search warrant was executed in the 4800 block of Betty Street which is what was believed to be the “stash” house. Drug traffickers commonly use “stash” houses to store the bulk of their inventory to protect themselves from losing the major portion of their drugs through theft or robbery by their customers or competition, or to prevent seizure by law enforcement.
The search warrants resulted in the seizure of approximately 170 pounds of high grade marijuana (mostly from the Betty Street location) and approximately $40,000 in cash, two firearms, body armor and a variety of drug paraphernalia.
During this multi-jurisdictional operation, four individuals were taken into custody without incident, arrested and transported to the Rapides Parish Detention Center for booking. There were six individuals taken into custody. Five individuals were booked and one individual was released to the custody of ICE.
Jericho Elijah Day, 28, was booked for Possession of CDS I (Marijuana) with Intent to Distribute, Illegal Carry of Firearm with Narcotics, Possession of a Firearm by a Convicted Felon, Unlawful Use of Body Armor, Possession of Drug Paraphernalia, and Probation Violation. Day remains in jail being held on a $350,500 bond.
Jaquarius Deonte Sewell, 29, was booked for Possession of CDS 1 (Marijuana) with Intent to Distribute. Sewell was released on a $300,000 bond.
Sammie Ray Sewell, III, 30, was booked for Possession of CDS I (Marijuana) with Intent to Distribute, Obstruction of Justice, Littering, and Failure to Signal. Sewell was released on a $111,100 bond.
Stanley Dewayne White, Jr., 22, was booked for Possession of CDS 1 (Marijuana) with Intent to Distribute, Illegal Carrying of Firearms with Narcotics, Possession of Drug Paraphernalia, and Improper Display. White was released on a $125,600 bond.
Jamesetta Lassette Vorise, 33, was booked for Obstruction of Justice and an outstanding Contempt of Court arrest warrant. Vorise was release on an $11,000 bond.
Guangyi He, 38 was taken into custody by ICE Agents to begin deportation proceedings.
RADE agents say their investigation is still ongoing.
The RADE Unit continues to target individuals suspected of trafficking narcotics in the Central Louisiana area. If anyone has information or would like to report any narcotics activity, they may do so by sending direct messages to the Rapides Area Drug Enforcement Facebook page at https://www.facebook.com/RADEunit/.