BATON ROUGE, La. (BRPROUD) — On Wednesday, the East Baton Rouge Sheriff’s Office arrested three people in a drug bust and is still looking for one more suspect.
According to the sheriff’s office, agents were contacted in Dec. 2022 about the overdose death of Thomas Loupe. Agents were able to identify Martell Red, 32, as the alleged seller of the lethal dose of fentanyl to Loupe.
A press release states over a two-month time frame, EBRSO Narcotics agents performed investigations into Red and other co-conspirators who were reportedly part of a drug distribution network in East Baton Rouge. As a result, three search warrants and two arrest warrants were gained.
On March 1, EBRSO agents along with the help of other agencies, conducted search warrants at the 11300 block of Blanton Avenue, 500 block of Baird Avenue, and 12300 block of Shay Avenue.
EBRSO said before the search warrants were executed, Red was taken into police custody. A K-9 unit attempted to stop Josef Harris, 30, during a traffic stop, but Harris fled. Deputies did not engage in a pursuit, due to Harris traveling at high speeds in a school zone. A warrant has been issued for Harris.
The seized items from all three locations include 12 ounces of fentanyl, 3 ounces of cocaine (powder), 1 gram of crack cocaine, 1 pressed fentanyl pill, 1.5 pounds of meth, 1.5 pounds of marijuana, 31.5 dosage units of Hydrocodone pills, drug paraphernalia, $16,900, 4 handguns, and 5 semi-automatic rifles.
Martell Red is being charged with distribution of Schedule II drugs, four counts of possession with intent to distribute Schedule II drugs, possession with intent to distribute Schedule I drugs, possession of a firearm with drugs, possession of a firearm by a convicted felon, possession of a stolen firearm, operation of a clandestine lab, and possession of drug paraphernalia.
Josef Harris is being charged with distribution of Schedule II drugs, three counts of possession with intent to distribute Schedule II drugs, possession with intent to distribute Schedule I drugs, possession of a firearm with drugs, possession of a firearm with an obliterated serial number, aggravated flight from an officer, and hit and run.
Ernie Clark, 36, is being charged with four counts of possession with intent to distribute Schedule II drugs, possession with intent to distribute Schedule I drugs, possession of a firearm with drugs, possession of a firearm by a convicted felon, possession of a stolen firearm, possession of drug paraphernalia, and obstruction of justice.
Kenneth Torres, 22, is being charged with two counts of possession with intent to distribute Schedule II drugs, possession with intent to distribute Schedule I drugs, and resisting by flight.
“I’m so appreciative of the EBRSO Narcotic Division’s diligent work to get these drugs, weapons and suspects off our streets,” Sheriff Sid Gautreaux said. “There were enough lethal doses of Fentanyl in the seizure to kill thousands of our community members. We will continue to dedicate our resources to going after these high-level drug and weapon traffickers, which play a prominent role in violent crimes in our area.”
