Morgan City men arrested in probe of multiparish drug trafficking ring

Two Morgan City men were among seven arrested in an investigation into what state police are calling a multiparish drug trafficking organization. The investigation resulted in the seizure of a variety of illegal drugs, including heroin and fentanyl.

Craig Albarado, 60, and Lucius Romero Jr., 49, Morgan City, were booked into the Terrebonne Parish Criminal Justice Complex on drug racketeering charges, Trooper First Class Ross Brennan said in a press release.

Also arrested were:

--Jeffery Williams Jr., 33, Gibson was booked into the Terrebonne complex on charges of distribution of a Schedule I drug, two counts of distribution of a Schedule II drug and transactions involving drug proceeds.

--Christopher Diano, 55, Houma, was booked into the Terrebonne complex on a charge of drug racketeering.

Three more men were booked into the Lafourche Parish Correctional Complex on drug racketeering charges. They are Clarence Jones, 45, Justin Lawson, 34, and Michael Robichaux, 49, all of Raceland.

The Louisiana State Police Criminal Investigations Division-Houma Field Office launched the investigation into what was believed to be an organization distributing multiple drugs in St. Mary, Terrebonne, Lafourche and Avoyelles, state police said.

Throughout the investigation, detectives received additional support from Homeland Security Investigations New Orleans, the Terrebonne Parish Sheriff’s Office, the Houma Police Department, the St. Mary Parish Sheriff’s Office and the Lafourche Parish Sheriff’s Office.

Detectives seized the following narcotics:

-- 56 grams of heroin-fentanyl mixtures
-- 366 fentanyl pills
--200 grams of methamphetamine
-- 396 grams of powder cocaine
-- 20.7 grams of crack cocaine
-- 575 grams of marijuana
-- 14 ecstasy/MDMA pills
-- 44.8 grams of powdered ecstasy/MDMA
-- Xanax/hydrocodone/oxycodone pills

In addition, detectives also seized $10,37 in U.S. currency, a vehicle and a handgun.

Louisiana State Police thanked the assisting agencies, “whose collaboration was essential to the success of the investigation. This collective effort highlights the importance of interagency teamwork in combating drug trafficking and ensuring community safety.”