Berwick Police Chief David Leonard reports the following arrests:
Maison Rivere W/M 28 Hwy. 402 Napoleonville, was arrested on June 8, 2022 at 1:59 PM for
- STOP SIGN VIOLATION
- DRIVING UNDER SUSPENSION
- POSSESSION OF DRUG PARAPHERNALIA
Vivian Oropesa W/F 37 Fourth St. Berwick, was arrested on June 8,2022 at 1:59 PM for
- POSSESSION OF SCH II CDS METHAMPHETAMINE
- POSSESSION OF DRUG PARAPHERNALIA
Courtney Smith B/M 33 Levee Rd. Morgan City, was arrested on June 8,2022 at 3:27 PM for
- POSSESSION OF DRUG PARAPHERNALIA
Patricia Thomas W/F 50 Fourth St. Berwick, was arrested on June 8, 2022 at 3:27 PM for
- POSSESSION OF DRUG PARAPHERNALIA
Deborah Francois B/F 38 Fourth St. Berwick, was arrested on June 8,2022 at 3:27 PM for
- POSSESSION OF SCH II CDS METHAMPHETAMINE
- POSSESSION OF DRUG PARAPHERNALIA
- VIOLATION OF CDS LAW DRUG FREE ZONE
Lucius Romero W/M 47 N. Third St. Morgan City, was arrested on June 8, 2022 at 3:27 PM for
- POSSESSION OF SCH II CDS METHAMPHETAMINE
- POSSESSION OF SCH I CDS MARIJUANA
- VIOLATION OF CDS LAW DRUG FREE ZONE
- WARRANT- PAROLE VIOLATION
On the morning of June 8, 2022, the Berwick Police Department received a call from a concerned citizen who reported illegal drug activity occurring at a residence in the 2900 block of Fourth St. Officers immediately began to monitor and investigate this complaint. Through investigation, officers conducted a traffic stop on a vehicle after it was observed to disregard a stop sign on Sixth St. Officers made contact with the driver, who was identified as Rivere, and the passenger, who was identified as Oropesa. During the course of the stop, it was learned that Rivere’s license was suspended. While speaking with Rivere he consented to a search of the vehicle at which time items of drug paraphernalia belonging to Rivere were located. Also in the vehicle, officers located items of drug paraphernalia and Methamphetamine inside a bag belonging to Oropesa. Officers also identified the residence where the drug activity was occurring at as belonging to Oropesa. Rivere was placed under arrest and released on a summons for the traffic offenses and Possession of Drug Paraphernalia. Oropesa was also arrested and she was transported to the Berwick Police Department for booking on the charges of Possession of Schedule II CDS Methamphetamine and Possession of Drug Paraphernalia. At that point, a search warrant was obtained for Oropesa’s residence. Berwick officers, along with the assistance of the St. Mary Parish Sheriff’s Office, then executed the search warrant at the residence.
During this time, officers made contact with Smith, Thomas, Francois, and Romero. Romero, who was wanted for a Parole Violation Warrant through the LA Department of Probation and Parole, was found to be in possession of Methamphetamine and Marijuana. Throughout the course of the search, officers located more methamphetamine and several items of drug paraphernalia that belonged to Francois. The residence in which the incident occurred is within 2,000 ft. of several churches and schools in the area, which are all posted as drug free zones. Smith and Thomas were arrested and released on summons for the charge of Possession of Drug Paraphernalia. Romero and Francois were transported to the Berwick Police Department for booking. Romero was booked on the charges of Possession of Schedule II CDS Methamphetamine, Possession of Schedule I CDS Marijuana, Violation of Uniform CDS Law (Drug Free Zone), and a warrant for Parole Violation. Francois was booked on the charges of Possession of Schedule II CDS Methamphetamine, Possession of Drug Paraphernalia, and Violation of Uniform CDS Law (Drug Free Zone). The Berwick Police Department appreciates the citizen’s call on this matter and wants to remind the public that if you see something, say something. Anyone who wants to report a crime can do so by calling the Berwick Police Department and they can remain anonymous.