In early February 2025, agents with the Rapides Area Drug Enforcement (RADE) Unit received information that Dion Derek Duran, Jr., was allegedly selling THC vape pens to high school students out of his residence in Alexandria. RADE agents immediately opened an investigation and began to confirm these complaints through a variety of surveillance and investigative techniques. Tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) is the main psychoactive and illegal chemical of cannabis.
Through their investigation, RADE agents established sufficient probable cause to obtain a narcotic search warrant for 1220 Warshauer Street in Alexandria. On Feb. 25, agents executed the search warrant at the residence and located Antonio Malik Daniels in the residence at the time of the warrant service. Agents secured the residence and waited for Duran, Jr. who arrived shortly thereafter.
A search of the residence uncovered the following:
- 252 THC vape pens and a variety of THC edibles and high-grade marijuana
- Approximately 200 Xanax pills, approximately 500 Fentanyl pressed pills and 5 ecstasy pills.
- Seven firearms
- 1.5 ounces powder cocaine
- Approximately $30,000.00 dollars in cash
- Multiple other items of drug paraphernalia
Daniels was placed under arrest and transported to the Rapides Parish Detention Center and booked for Possession of CDS II (Powder Cocaine) with Intent to Distribute, Possession of CDS I (Marijuana Derivatives) with Intent to Distribute, Possession of CDS I (Marijuana), Illegal Carrying of Firearms with Drugs, and Transactions Involving Proceeds from Drug Offenses.
Dion Derek Duran, Jr., 33, was placed under arrest and transported to the Rapides Parish Detention Center and booked for Possession of CDS I (Marijuana Derivatives) with Intent to Distribute, Possession of CDS I (Fentanyl) with Intent to Distribute, Possession of CDS IV (Xanax) with Intent to Distribute, Possession of CDS I (Marijuana), Illegal Carrying of Firearms with Drugs, and Transactions Involving Proceeds from Drug Offenses. Duran remains in jail being held on a $75,000.00 bond.
Louisiana has one of the highest rates of teen vaping in the country. In 2023, 30% of high school students in Louisiana reported using e-cigarettes in the past month, compared with 17% of high schoolers nationwide, according to state and federal surveys.
According to Tobacco Free Living (https://tobaccofreeliving.org) approximately 1 in 4 (26%) middle school students and half (51.5%) of high school students in Louisiana have used e-cigarettes. Approximately 1 in 7 (15.4%) middle school students and 1 in 3 (31.6%) high school students have used e-cigarettes in the past 30 days.
“We want to encourage our parents to discuss the dangers of these THC vapes being sold to their children” said Sheriff Mark Wood. “The concentration strength of these THC vape pens is a lot stronger and can cause THC poisoning, not to mention other ingredients that could damage their lungs or brain cells.”
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 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/.