Troopers Bust Mardi Gras Drug Shipment In Alexandria

State Troopers acting on an alert by a K9 officer searched an aircraft that had landed at Alexandria International Airport Wednesday and discovered quite a cache of illegal substances. Two men, one from Alabama and the other from California, were booked into the Rapides Parish Detention Center.

The charges were two counts of possession of dangerous controlled substances with intent to distribute. It is speculated that Louisiana's largest party, Mardi Gras, was the final destination for this shipment.

"After we took both George Marshall and John Marshall into custody, it was learned that the drugs were initially headed for Mardi Gras, to be distributed, in some way, out in Mardi Gras."

Those are the words of Master Trooper Scott Moreau as reported by the Louisiana Radio Network.  Trooper Moreau explained the value of the drugs that were discovered on the aircraft.

"Troopers seized over 34 pounds of high-grade marijuana, the estimated street value over $150,000, and over 550 grams of hash, estimated at over $8,500."

He went on to say that officers were alerted to suspicious activity around the aircraft after it had landed in Alexandria. A K9 officer was requested and a search was authorized. When the K9 officer alerted on the presence of drugs a complete and thorough search of the plane resulted in the seizure of the contraband substances.