Lafourche councilman’s son, grandson arrested on drug charge

The 37-year-old son and 19-year-old grandson of a Lafourche Parish councilman – an outspoken proponent of legislation cracking down on illegal drug use – were arrested early Friday on drug-related charges.

Lafourche Parish Drug Task Force agents arrested Lindel Toups Jr., of 130 Hyland Drive, and Dillon Toups, of 1936 Hwy. 654, both in Gheens, shortly after 2 a.m. The two are the son and grandson, respectively, of Councilman Lindel Toups.

Agents spotted Dillon Toups standing near a white Ford Explorer in the parking lot of a Gheens bar. As they approached, Toups, who was standing near the vehicle’s open passenger door, told authorities he was there to retrieve a money box from the bar. However, the business was locked and no one was inside.

Agents said Toups appeared nervous and was unable to explain his actions.

At about the same time, Lindel Toups Jr. drove by en route to get something to eat. He spotted his son, but didn’t stop, instead continuing to drive his dark-colored sedan on La. Hwy. 308, authorities said.

Lindel Toups Jr. attempted to reach his son via cell phone, but the younger Toups did not answer.

Lindel Toups Jr. surprised agents when his sedan made an illegal U-turn at Farm-to-Market Road, in front of the task force and a K-9 officer.

A deputy in a marked sheriff’s office unit engaged his siren and lights and attempted to stop the sedan, according to the sheriff’s office. Agents pulled in front of Lindel Toups Jr.’s vehicle in an attempt to stop the Gheens man. However, Lindel Toups Jr. accelerated, speeding in the opposite lane of traffic and, at times, off the road, authorities said.

He reportedly corrected his course and headed back toward the approaching agent’s vehicle, forcing it off the road.

As Lindel Toups Jr.’s sedan approached the bar, deputies deployed stop sticks, which deflated all four of the vehicle’s tires. After a brief struggle with officers, Lindel Toups Jr. was arrested.

A K-9 deputy found several plastic bags containing suspected methamphetamine and a suspected meth pipe inside Dillon Toups’ Explorer, authorities said.

Without describing what had been found inside the vehicle, agents told Dillon Toups he was under arrest. The younger Toups reportedly blurted out that the “meth and pipe” belonged to a female relative.

Dillon Toups was charged with possession of a Schedule II narcotic and drug paraphernalia. He was released from jail after posting a $5,000 bond, the sheriff’s office said.

Lindel Toups Jr. remained in jail as of press time in lieu of a $20,000 bond. He was charged with aggravated flight from an officer and making an illegal turn.

Councilman Toups grabbed headlines earlier this year when he introduced an ordinance requiring Lafourche councilmen and government employees to be randomly drug tested. The measure was approved 5-4 before later being vetoed by Parish President Charlotte Randolph. His earlier measures seeking to have school employees and all those receiving government funds failed.