Brought To You By The Rapides Area Drug Enforcement (RADE)
A recent investigation by RADE Agents nets drugs, a firearm and over $9000 in cash.
On January 11th, 2023, agents assigned to the Rapides Area Drug Enforcement (RADE) Unit were conducting surveillance in the 1200 block of Macarthur Drive when they observed a suspect they were conducting an investigation on arrive and park in the parking lot of a local business.
A K9 Deputy assigned to RADE made contact with the driver of the vehicle, identified as LaDarius Dayquan Hicks, 25 of Alexandria. After detecting an odor of marijuana coming from inside the vehicle, Hicks was asked to step out of the vehicle. Before exiting the car, Deputies observed Hicks adjusting something in his waistband which turned out to be handgun. Hicks was disarmed without incident and detained pending further investigation. Agents were also aware Hicks was a convicted felon who is currently prohibited from possessing a firearm.
From outside the vehicle, Deputies observed a plastic baggie in the center console containing what they believed to be crack cocaine (later weighed at 11 grams) and a clear plastic container of they believed to be marijuana (later weighed at 13 grams) in the rear floor board behind the driver’s seat. Deputies placed Hicks under arrest at that time. As Deputies continued their investigation, a black back pack was located on the back seat and inside the back pack, Deputies located a large sum of cash, 12 grams of Fentanyl, and assorted other scheduled narcotics. Also located in the backpack was a digital scale along with Hicks’ Louisiana State ID card.
Hicks was transported to the Rapides Parish Detention Center and booked for possession of CDS I with intent to distribute, four counts possession of CDS II with intent to distribute, possession of CDS III with intent to distribute, possession of CDS IV with intent to distribute, possession of CDS V with intent to distribute, illegal carrying of a firearm with drugs, and possession of a firearm by a convicted felon. RADE agents finished inventorying the items in the backpack and the sum of cash totaled $9,219.00. The assortment of U.S. currency was seized and a civil asset forfeiture hearing is pending. Hicks was released on January 13th, 2023 on a $125,000.00 bond.
Agents say their investigation is still ongoing.
The Rapides Area Drug Enforcement (RADE) Unit is a multi-jurisdictional team comprised of the Alexandria Police Department, Ball Police Department, Boyce Police Department, Cheneyville Police Department, Forest Hill Police Department, Glenmora Police Department, Grant Parish Sheriff’s Office Lecompte Police Department, McNary Police Department, Pineville Police Department, Rapides Parish Sheriff’s Office, Woodworth Police Department, Grant Parish District Attorney’s Office and the Rapides Parish District Attorney’s Office.
The RADE Unit continues to target individuals suspected of trafficking narcotics in the Central Louisiana area. If you have information or would like to report any narcotics activity, you may do so by sending direct messages to the Rapides Area Drug Enforcement Facebook page at https://www.facebook.com/RADEunit/.
Arrestee: Ladarius Dayquan Hicks, 25
452 Coeur Drive, Alexandria, LA
Charges: possession of CDS I with intent to distribute
four counts possession of CDS II with intent to distribute
possession of CDS III with intent to distribute
possession of CDS IV with intent to distribute
possession of CDS V with intent to distribute
illegal carrying of a firearm with drugs
possession of a firearm by a convicted felon
Tommy Carnline
Chief of Staff / PIO
Rapides Parish Sheriff’s Office
318-449 -5480 (office)
318-449 -5466 (fax)
318-308 -6594 (cell)
