5 arrested in St. Tammany Parish drug investigation

Disclaimer: All persons are presumed innocent until proven guilty.

ST. TAMMANY PARISH, La. (WGNO) — Five people were arrested on Wednesday following a three-month investigation into vape shops and tobacco outlets in St. Tammany Parish.

According to the St. Tammany Parish Sheriff’s Office, the joint investigation began following reports from concerned parents and citizens alleging that several local businesses were selling illegally possessed controlled dangerous substances, and that these sales were also being made to high school students and juveniles.

With the help of the Louisiana Office of Alcohol and Tobacco Control and the Louisiana Department of Agriculture and Forestry/LSU Ag Chemistry Lab, detectives were able to identify businesses and individuals who were believed to be involved in selling the illegal substances.

On the morning of July 24, detectives with the STPSO Narcotics Division executed search warrants on the businesses and found almost 300 devices or items containing a schedule I controlled dangerous substance, namely, THC vapes. Two firearms and over $2,400 in cash were also found.

Five people were arrested as a result of the searches. The suspects consist of employees and managers or owners of the businesses.

The following people were booked into the St. Tammany Parish Correctional Center on their respective criminal charges.

  • 20-year-old Angel Michell Hadlow is charged with two counts of distribution of a schedule I CDS.

  • 26-year-old Abduaziz Saleh Kaid Ali is charged with possession with the intent to distribute a schedule I CDS, as well as the sale, distribution or making available to minors publications encouraging, advocating or facilitating the illegal use of CDS.

  • 26-year-old Maria Margarita Garcia Guzman is charged with two counts of distribution of a schedule I CDS and one count of possession with the intent to distribute a schedule I CDS.

  • 18-year-old Alyna Heck is charged with two counts of distribution of a schedule I CDS and one count of possession of a schedule I CDS.

  • 36-year-old Ahmed Alshaebi is charged with possession with the intent to distribute a schedule I CDS and transactions involving proceeds from drug offenses.

This investigation remains ongoing. The STPSO expects additional arrests and seizures.

The STPSO also asks that anyone with information about narcotics or other crimes contact them through their website or by calling their narcotics tip line at 1-888-GO-2-JAIL.

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