Drug raid leads to largest seizure of fentanyl and meth in BRPD history

BATON ROUGE, Louisiana (WAFB) – The Baton Rouge Police Department's Special Investigations Unit seized a massive haul of drugs Wednesday night, including the largest amount of meth and fentanyl in department history.

The unit executed a search warrant for a home on Keaty Drive, which led to the investigation of two additional homes on Adams Avenue and Vermillion Drive.

Cendy Sammy Keophimanh was arrested in connection with the seizure.

“To give you an idea, one pound of fentanyl could cause a fatal overdose in 250,000 people, and that's almost five pounds that we were able to seize last night,” said BRPD Police Chief Thomas Morse Jr.

Other drugs seized include 150 pounds of methamphetamine, just over a pound of heroin and just over two pounds of black tar heroin, a pound of marijuana, and 22 doses of alprazolam or Xanax. The street value of these drugs is approximately half a million dollars.

The seizures also included six firearms, including one that had been reported stolen to the ATF.

“Right now, we're seeing a 25% decrease in overdoses compared to the same period last year. That's thanks in large part to the hard work of our Special Narcotics Investigations Unit, but we can't do it alone,” Morse said.

District Attorney Hillar Moore says this case is being treated as a murder case because of the amount of drugs seized.

“I know from personal experience that the parents of the children who died are calling, saying thank you and telling them to do what they need to do now that this person is in the care of this family because this arrest is in the news,” Moore said.

One of BRPD's partners on the scene yesterday was Peers on Point. Police notify this department every time there is a suspected overdose in the city. They say that while there have been fewer overdose deaths this year, there is still work to be done.

“We're happy, but we're not satisfied because we know that every time someone dies, someone's son or daughter dies. And we need to make sure we approach this from a three-pronged perspective. And by that I mean public health, public safety, and then giving the public hope,” said Tonja Myles.

No other suspects have been arrested in connection with the drug raid, but the investigation is ongoing. As for Keophimanh, prosecutors say there is a possibility that he could face a life sentence.

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