A man from South Mississippi, Ryan Howard, was arrested in Louisiana this week after sheriff’s deputies found him in possession of 80 pounds of marijuana. Following his arrest, Picayune Police discovered even more alarming items when they searched his home, including steroids, mushrooms, firearms, and eight alligators allegedly kept in his backyard pool.
Howard, 46, was taken into custody on Tuesday night by the St. Tammany Parish Sheriff’s Office. He faces multiple drug and traffic violation charges in Louisiana, according to the inmate roster. Authorities began investigating Howard in Picayune, Mississippi, after local detectives became suspicious of his possible involvement in illegal activity.
Upon Howard’s arrest, the St. Tammany Parish Sheriff’s Office informed Picayune Police, prompting them to obtain a search warrant for Howard’s home on Glenwood Street. The ensuing search uncovered 51 pounds of marijuana, packaging materials for bulk sales, anabolic steroids, six ounces of mushrooms, 13 vials of marijuana seeds, 14 guns, and eight alligators ranging from 3 to 4 feet long in his pool.
It remains unclear why Howard was keeping the alligators. Picayune Police Chief Joe Quave speculated that they were kept as pets. In addition to facing drug trafficking charges in Louisiana, Howard will also face charges in Mississippi, where it is illegal to own alligators without a permit. Police say Howard and his minor child were likely transporting marijuana between Mississippi and Louisiana.
Authorities are confident that further charges will be forthcoming, and the Mississippi Department of Wildlife, Fisheries, and Parks will relocate the alligators to safety.