WHAT HE SAID…
July 8, 2015
PLAYER OF THE WEEK
July 8, 2015Federal authorities were searching Gulf of Mexico waters Monday following a weekend discovery of cocaine washed up on a Terrebonne Parish barrier island, authorities confirmed.
A commercial fisherman trawling near Terrebonne Parish notified authorities of a suspicious package in the surf near the Isle Dernieres chain Saturday, Terrebonne Parish Sheriff Jerry Larpenter said.
Investigation by Larpenter’s narcotics division and water patrol agents determined that the package contained 25 kilos of cocaine worth $500,000 on the street.
“We got the call July 4th about 2:30 p.m. that a commercial fisherman had observed something washed up on one of the islands,” Larpenter said. “It appeared to be a package wrapped in clear tape, a dark package 2.5 feet by 2.5 feet. Our narcotics agents went there immediately and found the package on the beach and picked it up.”
Examination of the package, Larpenter said, revealed 25 kilos of cocaine. Agents, he said, determined that it came from Mexico, because of information on the package’s markings.
A federal agent with knowledge of the case, who asked not to be identified because he is not authorized to discuss the matter publicly, confirmed that searches of the area were on-going Monday to determine if more cocaine was floating in Gulf of Mexico waters or at other island locations. An investigation by the Department of Homeland Security is on-going, an official with that agency said.
Larpenter said federal authorities were notified, and that he will likely seek a court order authorizing destruction of the cocaine.
When that occurs, he said, U.S. Customs and Border Patrol will be asked to witness the destruction., Larpenter said.
“We were notified,” said CBP spokesman James Welch. “We are not required to do that, but will help if requested.”
Larpenter said he was informed that federal agencies were checking the area Monday. The Terrebonne Parish find is one of several reported in Gulf of Mexico jurisdictions his year.
In April an estimated $600,000 worth of cocaine with a dolphin stamp indicating it belonged to a group called the “Gulf Cartel” washed up in Florida, according to Okaloosa County authorities. Asked if the Isle Dernieres cocaine had similar markings on its packages Larpenter said it did not.
“All of this is coming from Mexico,” said Larpenter. “The borders are wide open, they are sending this poison on boats, ships, airplanes. Mexico is wide open right now with people coming over with illegal drugs.”
