Alexandria, LA (June 13, 2024) – A routine traffic stop on June 13th led to a significant drug bust by a K-9 Deputy assigned to the Rapides Area Drug Enforcement (RADE) Unit Highway Interdiction Team.
The deputy initiated the stop on a red Toyota Tacoma for a minor traffic violation. Upon approaching the driver, identified as John Michael Grezik, 37, of Florida, the deputy detected the odor of marijuana emanating from the vehicle.
During the subsequent interview, the deputy had Grezik exit the truck and deployed “Beny,” his drug detection K-9, for an open-air sniff around the vehicle. K-9 Beny alerted to the presence of narcotics near the truck bed. With Grezik’s consent, the deputy lifted the bed cover and discovered six large black trash bags.
A physical inspection revealed that the trash bags contained individually vacuum-sealed packages of high-grade marijuana. Grezik was arrested without incident and booked into the Rapides Parish Detention Center on charges of Following Too Close, Open Container, and Possession of CDS I (Marijuana) with Intent to Distribute. He was released on June 15th on a $150,200 bond.
RADE Agents assisted with the investigation, weighing the six trash bags and determining they contained approximately 150 pounds of marijuana, with an estimated retail value of $679,000.
The Rapides Area Drug Enforcement (RADE) Unit is a multi-jurisdictional team that includes the Alexandria Police Department, Ball Police Department, Boyce Police Department, Cheneyville Police Department, Forest Hill Police Department, Glenmora Police Department, Grant Parish Sheriff’s Office, Lecompte Police Department, McNary Police Department, Pineville Police Department, Rapides Parish Sheriff’s Office, Woodworth Police Department, Grant Parish District Attorney’s Office, and the Rapides Parish District Attorney’s Office.
The RADE Unit remains committed to targeting individuals suspected of trafficking narcotics in Central Louisiana.
Anyone with information or wishing to report narcotics activity can send direct messages to the Rapides Area Drug Enforcement Facebook page at RADEunit.
