Alexandria man arrested in multi-state drug trafficking case

ALEXANDRIA, La. (WNTZ) — Authorities in Central Louisiana say they’ve seized what may be the largest haul of illegal narcotics in the region’s history, culminating a months-long investigation by the Rapides Area Drug Enforcement (RADE) Unit with the arrest of an Alexandria man.

Dequavious Javonte Wagner, 31, of Alexandria, was taken into custody Tuesday night following an extensive investigation into a multi-state narcotics trafficking operation, according to the Rapides Parish Sheriff’s Office.

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Agents with RADE identified Wagner as a major figure in the regional drug trade. His arrest led to the seizure of massive quantities of illegal substances, including:

• 65 pounds of powder cocaine
• 96 pounds of methamphetamine
• 6 pounds of fentanyl
• 1.2 pounds of heroin
• 1.3 pounds of synthetic marijuana
• 252 grams of marijuana
• 87 grams of crack cocaine
• 160 bottles (approximately 20 gallons) of promethazine
• One handgun

Officials also recovered drug manufacturing and packaging equipment including a kilo press, respirators, and measuring tools. However, no cash was reported to have been found during the operation.

Wagner was booked into the Rapides Parish Detention Center on multiple narcotics-related charges, including possession with intent to distribute methamphetamine, cocaine, fentanyl, and marijuana. His bond was set at $1,000,200.

On Wednesday, Wagner was transferred into federal custody following a complaint arrest by the FBI’s Alexandria Field Office.

“This is the largest drug seizure in Central Louisiana history,” the FBI stated in a post on social media, congratulating the RADE Unit and law enforcement partners. “We’re proud to work shoulder to shoulder with the Rapides Parish Sheriff’s Office, Louisiana State Police, and the Grant Parish Sheriff’s Office to get the job done. More to come.”

The RADE Unit is a multi-jurisdictional task force that includes agencies from across Rapides and Grant Parishes, including the Alexandria, Pineville, Ball, and Forest Hill police departments, among others, alongside the Louisiana Department of Probation and Parole.

Authorities said the investigation is ongoing and more arrests are expected.

Anyone with information on narcotics activity is encouraged to message the RADE Facebook page directly.

All individuals are presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.