Two Texas men were arrested following a multi-parish pursuit and the discovery of a drone allegedly carrying approximately $31,000 worth of methamphetamine intended to be smuggled into a federal prison, according to the Grant Parish Sheriff’s Office.
The incident began when a Grant Parish sheriff’s deputy noticed a vehicle stopped in the middle of Hooper Road. According to the sheriff’s office, the deputy turned around to check on the vehicle, but the driver sped away at a high rate of speed.
Authorities said the resulting pursuit traveled through Grant, Rapides, Winn and Natchitoches parishes before eventually coming to an end.
As the pursuit began, another deputy returned to the location where the vehicle had initially been parked. Investigators said a drone landed nearby with methamphetamine attached to it.
According to the sheriff’s office, deputies determined that the occupants of the fleeing vehicle had allegedly been attempting to use the drone to smuggle the drugs into a federal prison. Authorities said that after the men fled, the drone’s battery began running low, causing the aircraft to automatically return to the location from which it had been launched.
The sheriff’s office estimated the methamphetamine attached to the drone had a value of approximately $31,000.
Leroy Rocha, 35, of Corpus Christi, Texas, was arrested on allegations of principal to aggravated flight from an officer, principal to reckless operation of a vehicle, possession of methamphetamine, possession of methamphetamine with intent to distribute, possession of drug paraphernalia, possession of fentanyl and criminal conspiracy.
Javier Hernandez, 31, also of Corpus Christi, was arrested on allegations of taking contraband into a penal institution, aggravated flight from an officer, reckless operation of a vehicle, possession of methamphetamine, possession of fentanyl, possession of drug paraphernalia and possession of methamphetamine with intent to distribute.
The Grant Parish Sheriff’s Office also reported that both men are allegedly affiliated with Tango Blast, which the agency described as a Mexican street and prison gang.
The allegations and charges are based on information released by the Grant Parish Sheriff’s Office. An arrest is not a conviction, and both men are presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty in court.