Louisiana shrimping boat inspection leads to drug and firearm arrest

IBERIA PARISH, La. (KLFY) — One man was arrested and another cited by Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries enforcement agents investigating illegal shrimping, authorities said.

Rendal D. Jennies Jr., 42, of Houma, is charged with possession of cocaine, possession of marijuana, possession of drug paraphernalia, possession or dealing in unregistered/illegally transferred weapons, possession of a firearm by a convicted felon and possession of a firearm in the presence of a schedule II controlled dangerous substance. He was booked into the Iberia Parish Jail.

Peter Nguyen, 39, of Houma, was cited for using oversized butterfly net or skimmers, failure to comply with stone crab requirements and violation of turtle excluder device (TED) requirements.

Agents were on patrol in Cote Blanche Bay Aug. 15 when they observed a commercial shrimping vessel actively skimming for shrimp, officials said. Agents boarded the vessel and made contact with the captain, Nguyen, and his deckhand, Jennies.

Agents said the nets were oversized and did not comply with TED requirements.

Agents allegedly found the men in possession of 1,813 lbs. of shrimp, which were seized and sold at the dock. Agents also seized the two illegal skimmer nets, authorities said.

During the stop, agents also allegedly found Jennies in possession of cocaine, marijuana, drug paraphernalia and a sawed-off 12-gauge shotgun. Agents seized the cocaine, marijuana, drug paraphernalia and the shotgun.

Agents also found Nguyen in possession of three undersized stone crab claws.

Possession of a firearm by a convicted felon is punishable by 5-20 years in prison and up to a $5,000 fine. Conviction of possession of a firearm while in the presence of a Schedule II drug carries up to a $10,000 fine and 5-10 years in jail. Possession of cocaine calls for up to a $5,000 fine and 2 years in jail. Possession of unregistered/illegally transferred weapons carries up to a $2,000 fine and 1-5 years in jail. Possession of drug paraphernalia brings up to a $300 fine and 15 days in jail. Possession of marijuana carries up to a $100 fine.

Using oversized skimmer nets and failing to comply with stone crab requirements brings a $250 to $500 fine and up to 90 days in jail for each offense. Violating TED requirements carries up to a $350 fine.

Bond details for Jennies were not released.

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