St. Bernard Sheriff’s office agents seize large amount of methamphetamine, cocaine during recent arrests

St. Bernard Sheriff James Pohlmann said three Chalmette men were recently arrested in separate, unrelated incidents in which Special Investigations Division agents seized large amounts of methamphetamine and cocaine. A handgun, marijuana and other narcotics also were recovered.

Sheriff Pohlmann said SID Narcotics Unit agents, acting on information received from an anonymous source and through a sequence of events, booked Joseph Pravata, 38, of the 2800 block of Decomine Street in Chalmette, on Nov. 6 with two counts of cocaine distribution, possession with the intent to distribute cocaine, possession of Oxycodone, possession of MDMA, possession of a firearm while in possession of a controlled dangerous substance, and possession of drug paraphernalia.

Narcotics agents executed a search warrant on Pravata’s residence where they recovered approximately 55 grams, nearly 2 ounces, of cocaine, some packaged in individual bags containing approximately a ½ gram of cocaine. The estimated street value of the cocaine is $5,500.

A semi-automatic handgun found in Pravata’s possession also was recovered, along with 6 Oxycodone tablets, 1 gram of MDMA, razor blades, pipes, weighing devices and additional bags.

Pravata was booked into St. Bernard Parish Prison. He was released Nov. 9 on a $185,500 bond.

In an unrelated incident on Oct. 23 shortly after 9 p.m., Sheriff Pohlmann said, SID Street Crimes Unit agents were investigating what appeared to be a verbal altercation between a man and a woman near the intersection of Packenham Avenue and Lafitte Court in Chalmette.

During the course of the investigation, Michael Trahan, 28, of Carroll Drive in Chalmette,
admitted to agents he was in possession of methamphetamine, and consented to relocating to his home where he gave agents permission to search his residence.

Trahan was booked with possession with the intent to distribute methamphetamine (7.6 grams) with an approximate street value of $760, possession of Xanax (1 dose), possession of Naloxone (4 doses), possession of drug paraphernalia, and a traffic warrant issued out of the Jefferson Parish Sheriff’s Office.

Trahan is being held in St. Bernard Parish Prison on a $25,000 bond.

In another unrelated incident on Nov. 11 at approximately 11 p.m., Sheriff Pohlmann said, SID Narcotics Unit agents received information from an anonymous source that a man and woman were selling narcotics out of a video poker room inside a Chalmette business on Paris Road.

During the course of the investigation, Robert Paulhus Jr., 55, of the 2300 block of Pelitere Street in Chalmette, was booked with possession of methamphetamine (1.2 grams), and possession of marijuana (.2 grams).

Paulhus is being held in St. Bernard Parish Prison on a $8,500 bond.

Sheriff Pohlmann reminds residents to call the Sheriff’s Office narcotics hotline at (504) 271-DOPE or 3673 to report suspected illegal drug activity in St. Bernard Parish. Callers can remain anonymous, and all calls will be acted upon.