[StBernard] Seven arrested and pot seized as St. Bernard Parish cops break up drug ring

[Westley Annis]

Seven arrested and pot seized as St. Bernard Parish cops break up drug ring
By Bob Warren, The Times-Picayune 
February 24, 2010, 2:45PM
Seven men have been booked in St. Bernard Parish in connection with the
breakup of a marijuana distribution ring, authorities said.


The arrests Monday and Tuesday followed a tip about large-size marijuana
sales, the St. Bernard Parish Sheriff's Office said in a news release
Wednesday. More than eight pounds of weed was seized, as well as four guns
and $3,300, authorities said.

Investigators are checking out reports that as much as 50 pounds of
marijuana may have been brought in from Houston. More arrests could follow,
the Sheriff's Office said.

Investigators also said one of the suspects was able to send text messages
to the others warning them that agents were on their way to their homes and
they should get rid of any marijuana they had, the Sheriff's Office said.

Authorities said two Violet men, Lionel "Tut'' Jackson Jr., 28, 2225
Beachhead Drive, and James Lee Jr., 46, 5616 St. Matthew Circle, were the
main players of the operation. Jackson was booked with distribution of about
10 pounds of marijuana.

At Lee's home investigators found two digital scales, more than a half-pound
of marijuana and a pistol grip shotgun reported stolen in St. Bernard in
1991, as well as packaging that allegedly had contained marijuana, the
Sheriff's Office said. Lee was booked with possession with intent to
distribute marijuana, possession of a stolen firearm, possession of a
firearm while in possession of a controlled dangerous substance and
possession of drug paraphernalia.

The bust began with a tip that a Chalmette man was selling marijuana by the
pound, the Sheriff's Office said.

Surveillance led to Martin Dippold Jr., who was caught trying to deliver one
pound of marijuana to Jeremy Encardes. Encardes, 24, 2205 Trio St.,
Chalmette, was booked with attempted distribution of marijuana. Dippold
agreed to cooperate and provided information to deputies. Narcotics agents
recovered five pounds of marijuana at Dippold's home, the Sheriff's Office
said.

Investigators said Dippold managed to send text messages warning three men
that deputies were closing in. One of the men he sent a message to, Leon
Gutierrez, told investigators he disposed of two pounds of marijuana into
the Mississippi River. 

Gutierrez, 51, 2191 Maureen Lane, Meraux, was booked with possession with
intent to distribute the marijuana he said he threw away, and with
obstruction of justice.

Dippold, 25, 9022 Titans Drive, Chalmette, was booked with possession with
intent to distribute marijuana, possession of Xanax, Vicodin and Roxicodone
pills, illegal possession of a firearm while in possession of controlled
dangerous substances and possession of drug paraphernalia.

Also arrested were Philip Marino, 47, 233 Bayou Road in eastern St. Bernard,
who was booked with possession with intent to distribute marijuana and
possession of paraphernalia. A pound of marijuana was found at his
residence, authorities said.

William Terry Jr., 34, 2605 Farmsite Road, Violet, who was booked with
attempted possession of marijuana for trying to purchase a half-ounce of
marijuana at Jackson's residence, saying he had arranged with Jackson to buy
it but Jackson wasn't home when he arrived. He was stopped by deputies as he
left, the Sheriff's Office said.