Lengthy investigation ends with major drug raid | News

WEBSTER, La. – A months-long joint investigation into the illegal drug trade ended late Friday with the arrests of three people and the seizure of a large quantity of drugs.

Webster Parish Sheriff Jason Parker said members of his office's drug unit, along with Minden police investigators and the DEA task force, seized drugs with a street value of more than $150,000 from a Minden residence.

“These drugs were on our streets,” Parker said. “We are committed to doing everything we can to stop the flow of illegal drugs into our community and our cities.”

Two Mindeners and a Texas man were taken into custody and face various charges. Persons and fees are:

• James Birden, 40, 700 block of Moore St., Minden: possession of crack cocaine with intent to distribute, possession of marijuana with intent to distribute, possession of ecstasy with intent to distribute and obstruction of justice.

• Teresa Bables, 35, 3300 block of Deerfield Dr., Balch Spring, TX: Possession of methamphetamine with intent to distribute, possession of cocaine with intent to distribute, possession of marijuana with intent to distribute, possession of fentanyl with intent to distribute, resisting an officer by fleeing and Obstruction of justice.

• Jegerwick Hollingsworth, 33, 700 block of Jackson St., Minden: possession of methamphetamine with intent to distribute, possession of cocaine with intent to distribute, possession of marijuana with intent to distribute, possession of fentanyl with intent to distribute, resisting an officer with violence and speeding.

All three are currently housed at the Bayou Dorcheat Correctional Center. No bail has been set.

Parker said officers seized approximately 10 pounds of methamphetamine, 10 pounds of cocaine, a quantity of marijuana and a large quantity of pills at the Moore St. residence.

“We’re still inventorying what we seized,” Parker said early Saturday.

Friday's successful bust began with a traffic stop on Interstate 20 at 10:30 p.m. by WPSO Sgt. Josh McCormick and Deputy Robert Davis, assisted by MPD Lt. Chris Hammontree and his K9 partner Tigo.

Due to the traffic stop and the execution of a pre-approved search warrant at the Moore St. address, the investigation resulted in the arrest and seizure of drugs.

“Our departments have been working on this for some time and it really shows what we can achieve when agencies come together,” Parker said. “We thank all the investigators who worked so hard to catch these suspects.”

Minden Police Chief Jared McIver agreed that pooling resources has a positive impact on the city and community.

“I think citizens appreciate seeing police and officers working together to solve crimes and make both our city and our community safer,” McIver said. “We have partnerships that are beneficial for all of our employees.”