SLIDELL, La. — Two New Orleans men were arrested last month in connection to a drug trafficking operation that stretched from New Orleans to Slidell, according to the St. Tammany Parish Sheriff’s Office.
Derwin Alexander, 30, and Robert Garrett Jr., 33, were taken into custody on March 26 following an investigation that began in February. Detectives discovered the two were delivering drugs to customers in Slidell.
On the day of their arrest, deputies located the men at a gas station on Oak Harbor Boulevard. They were driving a Chevrolet Silverado, which was searched, revealing a large quantity of drugs and a stolen firearm.
Among the items seized were:
143.5 grams of marijuana
6.6 grams of crack cocaine
10 Tapentadol pills
Over 48 grams of fentanyl
Assorted drug paraphernalia
A stolen handgun
Authorities confirmed both Alexander and Garrett were previously convicted felons, making it illegal for them to possess firearms.
Charges for Derwin Alexander include:
Distribution and possession with intent to distribute fentanyl, crack cocaine, marijuana, and Tapentadol
Possession of a stolen firearm
Possession of a firearm in the presence of controlled substances
Felon in possession of a firearm
Possession of drug paraphernalia
Charges for Robert Garrett Jr. include:
Distribution and possession with intent to distribute fentanyl, crack cocaine, and marijuana
Possession of a stolen firearm
Possession of a firearm in the presence of controlled substances
Felon in possession of a firearm
Possession of drug paraphernalia
Both men were booked into the St. Tammany Parish Correctional Center. The investigation remains ongoing.