Eight men arrested in Kenner drug raid
Cocaine, marijuana, weapons are seized
Saturday, May 10, 2008
By Michelle Hunter
East Jefferson bureau

Narcotics detectives from the Jefferson Parish Sheriff's Office on Thursday broke up a marijuana and cocaine distribution ring that was operating out of a house in Kenner, authorities said.

Investigators arrested eight men who lived at the residence, located at 1808 32nd St. They also seized almost 1 pound of cocaine, 2 1/2 pounds of marijuana, four firearms and $8,549 in cash, a Jefferson Parish Sheriff's Office arrest report said.

Booked Thursday were Melvin Rodriguez, 19; Gerardo Agusto Varela, 35; Marcos Sanchez, 22; Carlos Dominguez, 25; Marin Aleman, 45; Israel Maldonado, 25; Armondo Torres, 31; and Joel Barano, 29.

A spokesman for the Sheriff's Office did not comment on the case Friday.

According to arrest reports, narcotics agents had the residence under surveillance as part of the investigation. Agents executed a search warrant on Thursday and found the drugs as well as the firearms, two of which were hidden in paint cans, the arrest reports said. At least one of the weapons seized had an obliterated serial number.

Dominguez and Maldonado were booked with possession of more than 400 grams of cocaine, drug possession with the intent to distribute, use of a firearm in connection with drug activity and possession of a firearm with an obliterated serial number.

Sanchez was booked with possession of more than 400 grams of cocaine, drug possession with the intent to distribute and possession of a firearm with an obliterated serial number.

Rodriquez, Varela, Torres and Barano were booked with conspiracy to possess more than 28 grams of cocaine with the intent to distribute and conspiracy to possess or distribute drugs.

Aleman was booked with two counts of conspiracy to possess or distribute drugs and use of a firearm in connection with drug activity.

All eight were being held at the Jefferson Parish Correctional Center in Gretna Friday without bond. They were being held for officials from the office of Immigration and Customs Enforcement.

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