Sheriff's offices bust 2 on drug charges

St. Mary Sheriff Mark Hebert reported two arrests resulting in a seizure of over 20-pounds of marijuana Friday.
Keith Rhodes, 54, of 198 B La. 311 Schriever, was arrested Friday at 9:44 a.m. on charges of possession of Schedule I marijuana with intent to distribute, possession of drug paraphernalia, transactions involving drug proceeds and failure to properly signal a turn.
Brandon Boykin, 29, of 405 Ardoyne Drive, Houma, was arrested Friday on charges of possession of Schedule I marijuana with intent to distribute over 20-pounds transactions involving drug proceeds and possession of a firearm in the presence of a controlled dangerous substance.
St. Mary Parish Sheriff’s Office patrol deputies and Terrebonne Parish Sheriff’s Office narcotics agents ended a long-term investigation into illegal drug trafficking with two arrests in Bayou Vista Friday morning.
Terrebonne Sheriff’s Office narcotics agents collected evidence that Boykin and Rhodes were engaged in illegal drug activity. In the early morning hours, a St. Mary Parish Sheriff’s Office patrol deputy observed two vehicles conduct a suspicious interaction in the parking lot of a business off US 90 in Bayou Vista.
The deputy then observed a second suspicious interaction on Mars Road in Bayou Vista. As the deputy attempted to make contact with the two subjects, both left the location in separate vehicles, accelerating quickly away from the area. While following Rhodes, a deputy observed that he failed to signal a turn onto Middle Road. The deputy and Terrebonne Parish Sheriff’s Narcotics agents stopped Rhodes on US 90 in Berwick.
While speaking with Rhodes, the deputy smelled the odor of marijuana coming from the vehicle. After receiving consent to search the truck, the deputy located an approximate one-quarter pound of marijuana, marijuana edibles, and $213 in cash. Investigators stopped Boykin off US 90 in Bayou Vista.
Deputies smelled the odor of marijuana coming from the vehicle. Deputies received consent to search the car and located approximately 20-pounds of high grade marijuana, a handgun, and over $6,000 in cash.
Investigators found evidence that the money located in both searches was derived from the illegal sale of marijuana and that Rhodes transported the marijuana from Colorado for distribution in St. Mary Parish and Terrebonne Parish. Boykin and Rhodes were transported to the St. Mary Parish Law Enforcement for booking. No bail is set.