Deputies arrest 2, seize 32 guns and drugs after hours-long standoff

BATON ROUGE, La. (Louisiana First) — Deputies arrested two people and seized 32 guns and multiple drugs after an hours-long standoff Thursday on Burbank Drive.

The standoff took place after deputies executed a search warrant at an apartment. Deputies said suspected drug dealer Kevin Bova, 35, tried to escape through the attics but was apprehended after a five-hour standoff.

Agents with the East Baton Rouge Sheriff’s Office seized:

• 32 firearms
• 1.71 pounds of powder MDMA 
• 8.18 ounces of marijuana
• 41.2 grams of fentanyl (412 lethal doses)
• 13.4 grams of crystal methamphetamine 
• 10.4 grams of cocaine
• 34.2 grams of psilocybin mushrooms
• Pill press with fentanyl residue and a pill press mold
• Blender with fentanyl residue
• 10 digital scales with fentanyl residue 
• Money counter
• 2 bulletproof vest
• 1 Kevlar Helmet
• 3 homemade firearm suppressors
• Several pages of printed counterfeit currency and checks

“Drugs and violence are like a cancer in our communities, jeopardizing the safety of our law-abiding residents,” Sheriff Sid Gautreaux said. “The East Baton Rouge Sheriff’s Office Gang Enforcement and Intelligence Unit will continue to target these high-level drug traffickers wreaking havoc on our neighborhoods. I’m encouraged to see the massive number of firearms they’ve taken off our streets from the hands of these criminals.”

Kevin Bova, 35, was charged with:

• Possession with the intent to distribute Schedule II drugs (fentanyl)
• Operation of a fentanyl clandestine lab
• Possession with the intent to distribute Schedule II drugs (crystal methamphetamine)
• Possession with the intent to distribute Schedule II drugs (cocaine)
• Possession with the intent to distribute Schedule I drugs (MDMA pills)
• 2 counts of possession with the intent to distribute Schedule I drugs (marijuana)
• Possession of drug paraphernalia
• 2 counts of illegal possession of stolen firearms
• 32 counts of illegal carrying of weapon with a controlled dangerous substance
• Machine gun handling
• Unlawful use of body armor
• Resisting an officer
• 5 counts of simple criminal damage to property
• 5 counts of criminal trespassing

Shelby Burke, 30, was apprehended when the search warrant was executed. Burke was charged with:

• Possession of Schedule II drugs (crystal methamphetamine)
• Monetary instrument abuse
• Resisting an officer (providing false information)
• Active warrant from Zachary for theft

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