By Monique Roth
L’Observateur

LAPLACE — Five men were arrested this month after two packages containing drugs were intercepted in connection with two joint narcotics investigations of the St. John the Baptist Parish Sheriff’s Office Narcotics Division, U.S. Homeland Security and U.S. Postal Service.

In the first round of arrests, Sheriff’s Office narcotics detectives made a control delivery Nov. 6 of a package that federal agents intercepted after suspecting the package contained a chemical base used to make synthetic marijuana. After detectives delivered the package to the addressed post office box in Garyville, Grayland Washington, 26, and Anthony Lennix, 28, both of Garyville, picked up the package.

Investigators executed a search warrant and recovered the chemical 5-FluoroyB22, 11.5 grams of synthetic marijuana, pharmaceutical drugs and a handgun.

Washington was booked on numerous drug charges. He remains in custody in lieu of a $49,000 bond.

Investigators also arrested Lennix and booked him with two drug charges.

He remains in custody in lieu of a $15,000 bond.

In another operation, U.S. Postal inspectors intercepted a shipped package suspected of containing marijuana and contacted the Sheriff’s Office narcotics detectives. A control delivery of the package was made Monday to the addressed residence on Homewood Place in Reserve.

Romon Granger, 31, who lives at the Homewood residence, accepted the package and gave the package to Travoris Thomas, 31, who was at the residence.

Investigators executed a search warrant and recovered approximately three pounds of high-grade marijuana and a handgun.

Investigators arrested Granger and booked him with possession with intent to distribute marijuana, possession of a firearm by a convicted felon, possession of a firearm with CDS and a contempt of court warrant. He remains in custody in lieu of a $132,500 bond.

Thomas was booked with possession with intent to distribute marijuana. He is free after posting a $50,000 bond.

Investigators also arrested Shane Nicholson 22, of Reserve, for illegal carrying of a weapon. He was also at the residence.