Eight Arrested and More Than $242k in Drugs Seized in Louisiana Drug Bust

Louisiana – On November 1, 2022, the East Baton Rouge Sheriff’s Office revealed that over the previous two months, EBRSO Narcotics conducted an investigation into an alleged drug trafficking organization operating in the Baton Rouge, Louisiana area. This investigation was launched when agents received an anonymous complaint alleging that Donald Lacour, aka “Dumbway,” and Markeith Smith were the leaders of the drug trafficking organization and were selling drugs from an apartment on Rio Drive located close to Merrydale Elementary School.

Several controlled purchases of crack cocaine and hundreds of hours of surveillance were reportedly carried out during the investigation. As a result, the Narcotics Division of the East Baton Rouge Sheriff’s Office secured search warrants for 11 addresses in East Baton Rouge Parish and one in Livingston Parish.

EBRSO Narcotics executed all 12 of the warrants on November 1, 2022, with the assistance of many agencies and divisions.

As a result, the following arrests and seizures have occurred:

Seized Narcotics and Currency (Totals are approximate)

• 19 grams of Fentanyl (approximately street value $1,900)
• 120 pounds of Marijuana (approximately street value $240,000)
• 3.2 grams of Crack Cocaine
• 15 pressed meth pills
• 7 pints of Promethazine syrup
• Blender with fentanyl residue
• Press with fentanyl residue
• $9,740 (Pending seizure EBRSO)
• $5,472 (Pending seizure LPSO)

Seized Firearms (9) and Ballistic Vest (1)

• Glock 9mm handgun (reported stolen)
• Glock .40 handgun
• Glock .45 handgun
• Glock .40 handgun
• Taurus 9mm handgun
• Smith and Wesson .40 handgun
• Palmetto AR-15 pistol
• Draco .762 AK Pistol
• 1 ballistic vest
• Glock .45 handgun (LPSO)

Individuals arrested

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

Donald Lacour, 35

• Distribution of Schedule II Narcotics (3 counts, affidavit warrant)
• Possession with intent to distribute Schedule I Narcotics (marijuana)
• Possession with intent to distribute Schedule II Narcotics (2 counts, crack cocaine and fentanyl)
• Possession with intent to distribute Legend Drug (promethazine)
• Possession of Drug Paraphernalia
• Illegal Carrying of a Firearm w/CDS
• Illegal Carrying of a Firearm by a Convicted Felon
• Violation of a Protection Order
• Illegal Use of Body Armor
• Violation of CDS Law in Drug-Free Zone (within 2000 feet of school property)

Mitchell Johnson, 23

• Possession with intent to distribute Schedule I Narcotics (marijuana)
• Possession with intent to distribute Schedule II Narcotics (2 counts, crack cocaine and fentanyl
• Possession with intent to distribute Legend Drug (promethazine)
• Possession of Drug Paraphernalia
• Illegal Carrying of a Firearm w/CDS

Naajee Robinson, 22

• Possession with intent to distribute Schedule I Narcotics (marijuana)
• Possession with intent to distribute Schedule II Narcotics (amphetamine pills)
• Possession with intent to distribute Legend Drug (promethazine)
• Possession of Drug Paraphernalia
• Illegal Carrying of a Firearm w/CDS
• Resisting an Officer

Sylvester Gray, 21

• Possession with intent to distribute Schedule I Narcotics (marijuana)
• Possession with intent to distribute Schedule II Narcotics (amphetamine pills)
• Possession with intent to distribute Legend Drug (promethazine)
• Possession of Drug Paraphernalia
• Illegal Carrying of a Firearm w/CDS
• Resisting an Officer

Markeith Smith, 21

• Possession with intent to distribute Schedule 1 Narcotics (marijuana)
• Possession of Drug Paraphernalia
• Illegal Carrying of a Firearm w/CDS

17-year-old juvenile

• Possession with intent to distribute Schedule I Narcotics (marijuana)
• Possession with intent to distribute Schedule II Narcotics (amphetamine pills)
• Possession with intent to distribute Legend Drug (promethazine)
• Possession of Drug Paraphernalia
• Illegal Carrying of a Firearm w/CDS
• Resisting an Officer
• Juvenile Court Warrant (2 counts)

15-year-old juvenile

• Illegal Possession of a Stolen Firearm
• Possession of Drug Paraphernalia
• Juvenile Court Warrant (3 counts)

17-year-old juvenile

• Illegal Possession of a Stolen Firearm
• Possession of Drug Paraphernalia

The East Baton Rouge Sheriff’s Office indicated that a large portion of this case was made possible by the Fentanyl overtime funding provided by the State via Senator Bodi White.

Assisting Agencies and Divisions include EBRSO SWAT, EBRSO K-9, EBRSO SCAT, EBRSO Air Support, EBRSO Prison Transportation, EBRSO Intelligence, BRPD SRT, BRPD K-9, LSP SWAT, LSP Narcotics, Zachary PD SRT, Central Police, Department, LPSO Narcotics, DEA Task Force (BRPD and Iberville Sheriff’s Office), HSI Air Support, and National Guard Air Support.