Three pounds of high-grade marijuana worth $17,500 and a loaded handgun were seized in an apartment and a couple arrested

Walter Andrews

Jammie Lee Bastine

Three pounds of high-grade marijuana worth $17,500 and a loaded handgun were found in a Chalmette apartment and a couple was arrested, Sheriff James Pohlmann said.

Sheriff’s narcotics agents had received information about the drug operation and after an investigation obtained a search warrant for their Chalmette residence, where the marijuana, loaded gun and drug paraphernalia including scales and packing material were found, the sheriff said.

But the fact that no cash was recovered, which would usually be expected to be present when such expensive marijuana is being sold, is puzzling to sheriff’s narcotics officers, who are looking for more information, said Maj. Chad Clark, commander of Special Investigations Division. Agents are seeking more information on the two and any associates.

Walter J. Andrews, 53, and Jammie Lee Bastine, 26, who both lived at 3409 Golden Drive, Apt. A, were booked with possession with intent to distribute three pounds of marijuana, possession of a firearm while in possession of a controlled dangerous substance, possession of the drugs in the presence of a juvenile and the drug paraphernalia count.

When officers arrived to execute a search warrant they found Andrews outside and he had a quantity of marijuana he apparently was preparing to bring to a buyer, officials said.

Andrews and Bastine were booked into St. Bernard Parish Prison on June 21 but the arrests weren’t revealed until now. Both Andrews and Bastine have since been released from jail on bonds of $40,000 each.

Bastine’s young son was released afterward to the custody of a relative.

Anyone with more information about the two or information about subjects who were part of their operation should call the Sheriff’s Office at 271-2501, the sheriff’s Drug Hotline at 271-DOPE or Crimestoppers at 822-1111.

Anyone who suspects other drug activity in St. Bernard should call the 271-DOPE hotline to anonymously report it.