Lake Charles, LA –
In August 2024, detectives with the Combined Anti-Drug Task Force (C.A.T. Team) began a narcotics investigation at a residence in an apartment complex on 5th Avenue in Lake Charles after receiving complaints of illegal narcotics being distributed from the home. During the initial investigation, detectives identified two residents of the home involved in the distribution of illegal narcotics, Tyre D. Edwards, 34, and Shonteshia R. Lister, 35, both of Lake Charles.
C.A.T. Team Detectives, with the assistance of the CPSO SOG Unit, executed a search warrant at the home and as a result they seized approximately 2,913 pressed fentanyl pills, 278 ecstasy pills, 85 grams of MDMA powder, 2 diazepam pills, 285 alprazolam pills, 7 grams of Xanax powder, 318 grams of marijuana, 1 handgun, various drug paraphernalia items, and over $4,000 believed to be drug transaction proceeds. The total estimated street value of all illegal narcotics seized is approximately $20,000.
Between September 26 and September 30, Edwards and Lister were arrested and booked into the Calcasieu Correctional Center. Edwards was charged with possession of CDS I; 3 counts of possession of CDS I with intent to distribute; possession of CDS II with intent to distribute; 3 counts of possession of CDS IV; possession of CDS IV with intent to distribute; possession of a firearm by persons convicted of certain felonies; possession of a firearm in the presence of CDS; possession of a CDS in the presence of persons under 17 years of age; and money laundering. Judge Tony Fazzio set his bond at $2,985,000. Lister was charged with 2 counts of possession of CDS I with intent to distribute; possession of CDS II with intent to distribute; possession of CDS IV; possession of CDS IV with intent to distribute; illegal possession of a firearm in presence of a CDS; possession of a CDS in presence of person under 17 years of age; and money laundering. Judge Tony Fazzio set her bond at $2,783,000.
“Fentanyl, especially in pill form pressed to look like oxycodone, which is what we seized during this investigation, is something we are seeing more and more of, and it is deadly. Fentanyl itself is extremely potent and users are at a high risk of overdosing. The dangers of fentanyl are heightened when it is pressed into pill forms to resemble less potent drugs, as users may not realize they are (1) ingesting fentanyl at all or (2) possibly ingesting lethal doses. The C.A.T. Team detectives hard work has undoubtedly saved lives by removing these drugs from our community,” said Calcasieu Sheriff Stitch Guillory. “CPSO along with our local law enforcement partners will continue to aggressively pursue those who traffic dangerous substances.”
The Combined Anti-Drug Task Force is a collaborative effort, comprised of law enforcement officials from local, state and federal agencies, aimed at ceasing the trafficking of illegal substances in Calcasieu Parish.
An arrest is an indication that probable cause exists to believe the subject was involved in the offense alleged. A person is innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt.