Alexandria, La. (7/14/2025) – What began as community complaints in early June about young men selling marijuana and firing guns at night on Peach Street has culminated in a significant multi-agency drug and firearms operation in Alexandria.
The Rapides Area Drug Enforcement (RADE) Unit initiated an investigation after receiving several reports of illegal activity. Through surveillance and investigative methods, agents identified possible suspects tied to the activity.
Traffic Stop Leads to Breakthrough
On July 2, 2025, deputies with RADE conducted a traffic stop at Monroe Street and Maryland Avenue for a traffic violation. The two occupants—identified as Da’Michael Darrell Deal, 18, and Devetrick Bush, 19—were questioned, and deputies suspected they might be concealing narcotics. A RADE K-9 unit alerted to the presence of illegal substances.
A search of the vehicle revealed approximately ¼ pound of high-grade marijuana and two handguns equipped with conversion devices, making them fully automatic machine guns. The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, and Firearms (ATF) Task Force joined the investigation due to the federal firearms violations.
Both Deal and Bush were arrested and booked into the Rapides Parish Detention Center on charges including:
- Possession of CDS I (Marijuana) with Intent to Distribute
- Illegal Carrying of a Firearm with Drugs
- Unlawful Possession of a Machine Gun
Search Warrants Executed
After weeks of additional investigation, RADE secured search warrants for three locations in Alexandria:
- 3209 Peach Street
- 91 Texas Avenue, Apt A
- 91 Texas Avenue, Apt D
On July 10, 2025, the RPSO SWAT Team executed the warrants due to intelligence suggesting the suspects were armed with fully automatic weapons.
At 3209 Peach Street, agents detained Zaveon Brown, 22, and a juvenile. They recovered:
- 2½ pounds of high-grade marijuana
- 316 grams of “moon rocks”
- An AR-15 style pistol
- Over $13,000 in U.S. currency
The juvenile was cited and released to a family member. Brown was arrested on charges of possession of marijuana with intent to distribute and illegal carrying of a firearm with drugs.
At 91 Texas Avenue, Apt A, nine individuals were detained during the search. Agents seized:
- 11½ pounds of high-grade marijuana
- Two handguns
Four individuals were arrested at this location:
- Micah Earl Bell, 18 – Possession of CDS I with Intent to Distribute, Illegal Carrying of Firearms with Drugs
- Xavier Lemer Harrell, 28 – Possession of CDS I (>2.5 lbs) with Intent to Distribute
- Roricus Joeletreaux Osteen, 27 – Managing an Illegal Gambling Business
- Jamarious Davon Young, 24 – Two counts of contempt of court arrest warrants (APD)
No individuals were present at 91 Texas Avenue, Apt D, during the search.
Ongoing Investigation
RADE agents noted the vehicle Deal was driving during his arrest had previously been seen in the Peach Street and Texas Avenue areas where community complaints originated.
The RADE Unit emphasized that the investigation is ongoing and additional arrests may follow.
About RADE
The Rapides Area Drug Enforcement Unit is a multi-jurisdictional team including agencies from across Rapides and Grant Parishes, alongside the ATF and Louisiana Department of Probation and Parole. They focus on dismantling narcotics operations and violent offenders.
Residents are encouraged to report drug activity by messaging the RADE Facebook page: RADEunit.
“All persons are presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law or administrative action.”
