The Rapides Area Drug Enforcement (RADE) Unit conducted a search warrant in the 2000 block of Levin Street following a flood of community narcotic-related complaints on August 1. RADE Agents were familiar with this address as they conducted a search warrant there in 2024 after Makari Cotton sold Marijuana to an undercover police officer. He was subsequently placed on two years of supervised probation through the Offices of Louisiana State Probation and Parole.
At the time of the warrant service, there were five adults and several juveniles in the residence. The adults, later identified as Paula Barton, Latonya Collins, Queneshia Barton, Derrick Smith, and Daequan Holmes were detained without incident. RADE Agents learned Makari Cotton had just been placed in custody by his Probation Officer for violating the conditions and terms of his probation status that morning. The juveniles were released to a family member.
A search of the residence was conducted and agents located just under a pound of Marijuana, 2 ounces of Synthetic Marijuana, 2.7 grams of Fentanyl, 2 Suboxone strips and various drug paraphernalia throughout the house.
Paula Barton was placed under arrest, transported and booked into the Rapides Parish Detention Center for Possession of CDS I (Marijuana) with Intent to Distribute, 3 counts of Possession of CDS II (Fentanyl), Possession of CDS I (Synthetic Marijuana), Possession of Drug Paraphernalia, and 4 outstanding arrest warrants for Contempt of Court. Paula Barton remains in jail at the time of this release being held on a $72,000 bond.
Latonya Collins was placed under arrest, transported and booked into the Rapides Parish Detention Center for Possession of CDS I (Marijuana) with Intent to Distribute, 2 counts of Possession of CDS II (Fentanyl), Possession of CDS I (Synthetic Marijuana), Possession of Drug Paraphernalia, and 8 outstanding arrest warrants for Contempt of Court.
Queneshia Barton was placed under arrest, transported and booked into the Rapides Parish Detention Center booked for Possession of CDS I (Marijuana) with Intent to Distribute, 2 counts of Possession of CDS II (Fentanyl), Possession of CDS I (Synthetic Marijuana), and Possession of Drug Paraphernalia. Queneshia Barton was released on August 3 on a $59,50 bond.
Derrick Smith was placed under arrest, transported and booked into the Rapides Parish Detention Center booked for Possession of CDS I (Marijuana) with Intent to Distribute, 2 counts of Possession of CDS I (Fentanyl), Possession of CDS I (Marijuana) > 14 grams, Possession of CDS I (Synthetic Marijuana), Possession of Drug Paraphernalia, and 2 outstanding arrest warrants for Contempt of Court. Derrick Smith remains in jail being held on a $64,500 bond.
Daequan Holmes was placed under arrest, transported and booked into the Rapides Parish Detention Center booked for Possession of CDS I (Marijuana) with Intent to Distribute, 2 counts of Possession of CDS II (Fentanyl), 2 counts of Possession of CDS I (Synthetic Marijuana), Possession of CDS IV (Suboxone), Possession of CDS II (Ocycodone), an active arrest warrant for Contempt of Court, and a Probation and Parole Warrant for previously violating the terms and conditions of his probation status. Daequan Holmes remains in jail at the time of this release being held on a $68,500 bond.
Based on witness statements, Makari Cotton was booked for Possession of CDS I (Marijuana) with Intent to Distribute and Possession of Drug Paraphernalia. Makari Cotton remains in jail at the time of this release being held on a $50,500 and a probation violation.
RADE Agents say their investigation is still ongoing and more arrests are possible.
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/.
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