By james art 
New Orleans, LA. (WAFB) – Four people were arrested after an investigation revealed that they had participated in the purchase and sale of Tapentadol pills, a II medicine in New Orleans, according to State Police in Louisiana.
46-year-old Bahia Shabaz from Metariya, Leron Hines, 21, New Orleans, 21-year-old Jeremiah Hill of New Orleans, and 23-year-old Derek Davis of Baton Ruzh have been arrested on several drugs related to drugs.
Authorities say Shabaz, a postal carrier, coordinates multiple supplies of packages containing Tapentadol with Hines in exchange for money. Between November 2024 and January 2025, investigators claim that they were able to capture and seize packages intended for addresses in New Orleans, as well as over 1,200 pills of Tapentadol. Shabaz and Hines were arrested in January.
The following was seized after a search of the Hines residence:
- 1300 extra pills for uplines
- Over 180 grams of mushrooms on psilocybin
- 834 grams of marijuana
- Multiple open and unopened plots USPS
- Over $ 6,000 in American currency
Hill and Davis were also arrested for their participation. During these arrests, an additional 3,600 pills were seized for the Tapestadol and two firearms.
During a check for conformity for Hill, which was active probation, 2880 pills Tapentadol, 23 grams of marijuana and 10 grams of mushrooms of psilocybin were found at his residence.
Following the arrests, soldiers say more packages have been seized and over 13,000 Tupledol pills have been restored since the start of the investigation.
Suspects face the following charges:
Heins:
- Possession with the intention of distributing CDS with list II (Tapentadol)
- Possession of a firearm in the presence of CDS
- Possession of a firearm by a convicted criminal
- Revenue from drug deals
- Possession with the intention of spreading CDs with list II (marijuana and mushrooms of psilocybin)
- CD Conspiracy with List II (Tapentadol)
- CDS distribution conspiracy with schedule I (marijuana)
Hill:
- Possession with the intention of distributing CDS with list II (Tapentadol)
- Possession of a firearm in the presence of CDS
- Possession of a firearm by a convicted criminal
- Possession with the intention of spreading CDs with list II (marijuana and mushrooms of psilocybin)
- Possession
- CD Conspiracy with List II (Tapentadol)
- CDS distribution conspiracy with schedule I (marijuana)
Davis:
- Possession with the intention of distributing CDS with list II (Tapentadol)
- Possession of a firearm in the presence of CDS
- CD Conspiracy with List II (Tapentadol)
Shabase:
- Distribution of CDS with list II (Tapentadol)
- Abuse
- Mail theft
All four were booked at the Orleans Justice Center.
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