United States Drug Enforcement Administration

COVINGTON, La. - District Attorney J. Collin Sims announces that the 22nd Judicial District Attorney’s Office Opioid Initiative, in close partnership with the Drug Enforcement Administration’s Fentanyl Overdose Response Team (DEA FORT), has arrested a suspected narcotics distributor following a recent investigation in eastern St. Tammany Parish.

The multi-agency operation began in Pearl River after local law enforcement responded to the scene of a suspected drug overdose. Investigators with the 22nd JDC DA’s Opioid Initiative and DEA FORT immediately assumed responsibility for the case, treating it as a crime scene to identify the source of the illicit substances involved.

Working alongside the Pearl River Police Department, Slidell Police Department, and the Louisiana State Police, investigators traced the suspected distribution path from St. Tammany Parish into neighboring Orleans Parish. In less than two weeks, law enforcement identified, located, and apprehended the suspect, who was taken into custody in Orleans Parish on multiple narcotics-related charges and is currently awaiting extradition to St. Tammany Parish.

"When a suspected overdose occurs, our teams respond immediately, follow the evidence across parish boundaries, and pursue those responsible for bringing dangerous substances into our communities," said District Attorney Collin Sims. "This coordinated effort underscores our office's commitment to seamless collaboration between investigative and prosecutorial units to ensure swift accountability."

"Fentanyl and illicit narcotics recognize no municipal or parish boundaries, which is why our enforcement response cannot either," said DEA Special Agent in Charge John P. Scott. "Through the partnership between the DEA Fentanyl Overdose Response Team and District Attorney Sims’ office, we are combining federal resources and local expertise to trace poison back to its source and hold distributors accountable, no matter where they try to hide."

The 22nd JDC DA’s Opioid Initiative and DEA FORT operate as a unified structure, bringing together federal, state, and local resources to disrupt narcotics networks and streamline cases from the initial scene through final disposition.

The investigation remains active and ongoing. Further details are currently being withheld to preserve the integrity of the ongoing proceedings.

All defendants are presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty in a court of law.