Major drug network dismantled in Vernon Parish

11 individuals indicted for alleged roles in large-scale drug trafficking operation

Published on Feb. 9, 2026

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Vernon Parish Sheriff Sam Craft announced the outcome of a nearly two-year investigation that uncovered and dismantled a massive drug operation in Vernon Parish. The multi-agency operation resulted in 11 arrests and the recovery of large amounts of methamphetamine, fentanyl and cocaine.

Why it matters

The dismantling of this drug network is a significant win for law enforcement and the local community, as it disrupts the flow of illegal drugs into the area. The operation highlights the importance of collaboration between federal, state and local agencies in combating complex drug trafficking schemes, especially in smaller communities.

The details

The investigation, which began in late 2024, spanned Vernon Parish and surrounding communities. It led to the indictment of 11 individuals - DeTrail Harris, Kameron Harris, Barry Pearson, Frank Coleman Jr., Earl 'Nook' Thompson, Michael Womack, Sevesta Sweet, Charles Jackson, Andrew Bulloch, Craig Hopkins, and Buford 'Dog Pound' Sawyer - for their alleged roles in the drug-trafficking network. Authorities recovered 25 pounds of methamphetamine, 1 kilogram of cocaine, several gold bars, and $125,000 in cash. One individual was found in possession of 2,000 fentanyl pills intended for distribution.

  • The investigation began in the late fall of 2024.
  • The individuals were indicted on January 21, 2026.

The players

Sam Craft

Vernon Parish Sheriff.

LaDonte Murphy

Assistant U.S. Attorney.

Bo Lummus

Deputy Superintendent of the Louisiana State Police Bureau of Investigations.

Lane Allen

Special Agent-in-Charge with the U.S. Army Criminal Investigations Division's Fort Polk Office.

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What they’re saying

“These coordinated efforts resulted in multiple takedowns of local distribution sources within Vernon Parish, as well as a disruption of several supply chains originating outside the state. These enforcement actions significantly impacted the flow of illegal drugs into Vernon Parish and contributed to broader interdiction efforts affecting neighboring parishes.”

— Sam Craft, Vernon Parish Sheriff (beauregardnews.com)

“We believe those pills were intended to be distributed from south to central Louisiana.”

— LaDonte Murphy, Assistant U.S. Attorney (beauregardnews.com)

“When you consider the complexity of infiltrating networks in a smaller setting like Vernon Parish, it can be even more difficult and dangerous than with networks in larger areas such as Shreveport or New Orleans. It presented several challenges and required a very careful plan and execution from all the agencies involved.”

— Bo Lummus, Deputy Superintendent of the Louisiana State Police Bureau of Investigations (beauregardnews.com)

“(Our military members) and their families are a part of this local community. This is where they live, where they shop, where they work, so any time a threat is posed by criminal activities such as this, then we get involved to help suppress those threats. We want this to serve as a clear message: if you introduce harmful drugs to the areas around our warfighters, we will hold you accountable.”

— Lane Allen, Special Agent-in-Charge with the U.S. Army Criminal Investigations Division's Fort Polk Office (beauregardnews.com)

What’s next

The investigation remains ongoing, and all individuals are currently in the custody of U.S. Marshals.

The takeaway

This operation demonstrates the effectiveness of multi-agency collaboration in dismantling complex drug trafficking networks, even in smaller communities. It sends a strong message that law enforcement will work tirelessly to disrupt the flow of illegal drugs and hold those responsible accountable.