Traffic Stop in Lacombe Uncovers Large Stash of Illegal Drugs

The St. Tammany Parish Sheriff’s Office has taken a significant amount of narcotics off the streets following a traffic stop Thursday afternoon (September 19, 2019) on Fish Hatchery Road in Lacombe.

Harold Batiste (46) of Lacombe was detained for resisting an officer after he refused to exit his vehicle and was repeatedly uncooperative with deputies. A search of Batiste and the pickup truck he was driving uncovered a large stash of illegal narcotics, cash and drug paraphernalia. 

Deputies located approximately 193.0 grams of suspected heroin, approximately 105.3 grams of powder cocaine and approximately 67.2 grams of crack cocaine, drug paraphernalia and $5,500 of suspected drug proceeds.

Batiste was arrested on the charges of Possession with Intent to Distribute Schedule I (Heroin), Possession with Intent to Distribute Schedule II (Cocaine), Possession of Drug Paraphernalia, Resisting an Officer (two counts), Transactions Involving Proceeds Drug Offenses, Improper Lane Use, Illegal Window Tint, and Stop Lamps Required.

“This man is a dangerous drug dealer in our community, and I am proud of the work of our deputies who made this traffic stop and successfully removed these very dangerous drugs off our streets,” Sheriff Randy Smith said.