By LEONARD GRAY

RESERVE – The narcotics “supermarket” located on East 13th Street in Reserve is going out of business. At least, that is the intention of the St. John the Baptist Parish Sheriff’s Office, which rounded up 16 suspected cocaine dealers this week.

“This is phase two of Clean Up East 13th Street,” said Capt. Michael Tregre.

Sheriff Wayne L. Jones said he hopes to continue rounding up the repeat offenders and said, “I expect the cooperation of the judges and the district attorney’s office to keep these people off the streets.”

Suspects arrested include:
• Michael Sanders Jr., 20, 221 Melius Drive, Reserve, distribution of cocaine and contempt of court.
• Wanda McDaniel, 39, PM Motel, LaPlace, distribution of cocaine.
• David R. King, 36, 334 St. James St., LaPlace, distribution of cocaine.
• Shelton Fobb III, 42, 787 Sleepy Redwood, being a principal to distribution of cocaine.
• Charles Ray Hampton, 43, 936 W. Fourth St., LaPlace, distribution of cocaine and illegal carrying of a weapon.
• Richard Dropthmore, 41, 415 Homewood Lane, Reserve, distribution of cocaine.
• Richard Hardy Jr., 427 Orange Loop, LaPlace, distribution of cocaine.
• Jevon Johnson, 18, 417 Marvin Gardens, LaPlace, distribution of cocaine.
• Michael Lee, 20, 1117 Cambridge Drive, LaPlace, five counts distribution of cocaine.
• Derrick Mazique, 25, 273 Daffodil St., Mt. Airy, principal to distribution of cocaine.
• Edward Morris, 25, 285 Historic East St., Garyville, principal to distribution of cocaine.
• Lee Pierce, 17, 123 Augusta lane, LaPlace, three counts distribution of cocaine.
• Dale Young, 32, 117 Rosemary Court, LaPlace, two counts distribution of cocaine and two counts distribution of cocaine in a drug-free zone.
• Armond Lee, 27, 221 Homewood Lane, Reserve, distribution of cocaine.
• Ken Bardell, 21, 183 S. Church St., Garyville, distribution of cocaine.
• Norman Ellis, 49, 118 Cranberry St., Garyvill, distribution of cocaine.

According to Jones, the Reserve Oaks public housing development had degenerated into a “war zone” of flying bullets, burned-out units and speeding cars in the middle of the night. Residents routinely slept on the floor to avoid stray gunfire.

A raid on the housing development on Aug. 8 was aimed primarily at getting guns and convicted felons out of the area, and resulted in 12 arrests. At that time, Jones said, “This is the first phase, with more to come.”

Bonds were set on the suspects by 40th Judicial District Judge Mary Hotard Becnel and ranged from $25,000-$100,000.