Undercover operation arrests 10

Dealer's cell phone used in Des Allemands sting operation

Photo taken by: Sheriff's Office

Kerry Fonseca, 37, Avondale, one of the 10 arrested in the sting operation.

A drug bust of one St. Charles Parish resident leads to the arrest of 10 others. Using the cell phone of an alleged drug trafficker from a previous arrest, narcotics detectives set up a sting operation of those calling the cell phone to obtain cocaine. All 10 were charged with attempted possession of crack cocaine.

"We had a subject who was arrested on (an illegal narcotics) distribution charge. Upon that person being arrested, his phone was confiscated," said Sgt. Dwyane LaGrange, "and it was used in a reversal operation."

The attempted crack purchases occurred over a week, as each subject would call the dealer looking for crack. Thereby, the undercover officer would setup a buy. All subjects were arrested on February 6 in the early evening.

"We didn't have to wait for the calls, the phone just started ringing. That's when we setup an undercover officer who went and made the arrests," said LaGrange, adding this was not the first time St. Charles police used this tactic to nab illegal drug users.

Ranging in all ages and sexes, those caught in the undercover operation were Vincent Tregle, 41, Des Allemands; Darrow Tregle, 50, Des Allemands; Kerry Fonseca, 37, Avondale; Barbara Kestle, 35, Des Allemands; Jerry Comardelle, 58, Des Allemands; Dawn Granier, 23, Des Allemands, Rita Lirette, 21, Paradis; Carmelo Murphy, 50, Poydras; Corey Polley, 31, Des Allemands; and Roland Breaux, Jr., 26 Des Allemands.

In addition to the attempted crack possession charge, Barbara Krestle was charged with conspiracy to distribute Hydrocodone, Methadone, and Vicodin.

Since each subject was attempting obtain cocaine, "Vehicles and cash were confiscated in the operation," said Sgt. LaGrange. Not wanting to compromise the investigation, the initial drug dealer's identity remains concealed.