25-Year-Old Louisiana Convicted Felon Arrested Suspected of Possession of a Firearm, Crack, Fentanyl, and Other Crimes 

A Louisiana convicted felon has been arrested by the Rapides Area Drug Enforcement (RADE) Unit after they reportedly discovered a handgun, crack cocaine, marijuana, fentanyl, and other scheduled narcotics in his car, and a large sum of cash in his backpack. He was charged with multiple counts of drug distribution, illegal firearm possession and possession by a convicted felon.

According to the Rapides Parish Sheriff's Office (RPSO), on January 11, 2023, agents assigned to the Rapides Area Drug Enforcement Unit were conducting surveillance in the 1200 block of Macarthur Drive when they observed a suspect under investigation arrive and park in the parking lot of a local business.

A K9 Deputy assigned to RADE made contact with the vehicle's driver, LaDarius Dayquan Hicks, 25, of Alexandria. Hicks was asked to step out of the vehicle after an odor of marijuana was detected inside. Deputies observed Hicks adjusting something in his waistband, which turned out to be a handgun. Hicks was disarmed and taken into custody pending further investigation. Agents were also aware that Hicks was a convicted felon who was previously barred from possessing a firearm.

Deputies observed a plastic baggie in the center console containing what they believed to be crack cocaine (later weighed at 11 grams) and a clear plastic container containing what they believed to be marijuana (later weighed at 13 grams) in the rear floorboard behind the driver's seat from outside the vehicle. Hicks was arrested at the time by deputies. As Deputies continued their investigation, they discovered a black backpack on the back seat, which contained a large sum of cash, 12 grams of Fentanyl, and various other scheduled narcotics. A digital scale and Hicks' Louisiana State ID card were also found in the backpack.

Hicks was taken to the Rapides Parish Detention Center and charged with CDS I with intent to distribute, four counts of CDS II with intent to distribute, CDS III with intent to distribute, CDS IV with intent to distribute, CDS V with intent to distribute, illegal carrying of a firearm with drugs, and possession of a firearm by a convicted felon. RADE agents completed an inventory of the items in the backpack, and the cash totaled $9,219.00. The collection of US currency was seized, and a civil asset forfeiture hearing is scheduled. Hicks was released on a $125,000.00 bond on January 13th, 2023.
The investigation is still ongoing, according to the agents.

The Rapides Area Drug Enforcement (RADE) Unit is a multi-jurisdictional team made up of the Alexandria Police Department, the Ball Police Department, the Boyce Police Department, the Cheneyville Police Department, the Forest Hill Police Department, the Glenmora Police Department, the Grant Parish Sheriff's Office, the Lecompte Police Department, the McNary Police Department, the Pineville Police Department, the Rapides Parish Sheriff's Office, the Woodworth Police Department, and the Grant Parish District Attorney's

The RADE Unit continues to target individuals suspected of drug trafficking in Central Louisiana. You can send direct messages to the Rapides Area Drug Enforcement Facebook page at https://www.facebook.com/RADEunit/ if you have information or want to report any narcotics activity.

An arrest is an indication that probable cause exists to believe the subject was involved in the offense alleged. A person is presumed innocent until proven guilty.