Feds bust big meth ring with St. Martin ties

A dozen people, seven of them from Breaux Bridge, were indicted in U.S. District Court here Wednesday in a methamphetamine distribution conspiracy in Acadiana.
Named in the 15-count indictment were Darrell James Serrette II, 33, Jared J. Dupuis, 38, Elton Scroggins, 34, John S. Stutes, 44, Ronnie J. Touchet, 34, Travis Joseph Thibodeaux, 34, and Tucker Huval, 34, all of Breaux Bridge
Also indicted were Jeremy David Hamlett, 37, and Jade Dupuis, 37, both of Arnaudville;
Matthew James Hebert, 42, of New Iberia; Lovlace L. Comeaux II, 53, of Lafayette; and Kevin Comeaux, 54, of Milton.
United States Attorney Stephanie A. Finley said the defendants conspired to distribute and to possess with intent to distribute methamphetamine in Lafayette and surrounding areas from April 2015 until Wednesday, Dec. 16.
All defendants have been arrested.
In addition to the conspiracy count, there were three counts of distribution of methamphetamine, and 11 counts of use of a communication facility in causing or facilitating a drug trafficking crime.
The defendants face various possible penalties depending on the drug quantity involved, their role in the conspiracy and their drug history, Finley said. On the conspiracy and distribution counts, some defendants face up to life in prison, and others face up to 20 years or 40 years in prison. The defendants also face up to 10 years of supervised release. The penalties for use of a communication facility in causing or facilitating drug trafficking are up to eight years in prison and up to three years of supervised release for each count.
Additionally, the defendants face fines up to $20 million and forfeiture of property seized in the case.
The Lafayette Task Force of the DEA, Louisiana State Police and Lafayette Metro Narcotics (LMN) participated in the investigation, and the ATF, FBI, DEA Task Force, St. Martin Parish Sheriff’s Office and LMN assisted in the apprehension of the individuals named in the indictment.
Assistant U.S. Attorneys Myers P. Namie and Daniel J. McCoy are prosecuting the case.