Members Of Drug Organization Indicted

BATON ROUGE, LA - United States Attorney Walt Green announced today the unsealing of a federal grand jury indictment in Operation Drop the Hammer, an extensive investigation into a drug trafficking network operating in the Baton Rouge and Denham Springs area.

The investigation is another effort by the Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Force (OCDETF) Program which was established in 1982 to mount a comprehensive attack against organized drug traffickers.  Today, the OCDETF Program is the centerpiece of the United States Attorney General’s drug strategy to reduce the availability of drugs by disrupting and dismantling major drug trafficking organizations and money laundering organizations and related criminal enterprises.  The OCDETF Program operates nationwide and combines the resources and unique expertise of numerous federal, state, and local agencies in a coordinated attack against major drug trafficking and money laundering organizations.

The following nine individuals have been charged:

• Darryl Q. Cobb, also known as “Hammer Bob” and “Hammer,” age 33, of Baton Rouge, Louisiana, is charged with conspiracy to distribute and possess with the intent to distribute cocaine and cocaine base; distribution of cocaine and cocaine base; possession with the intent to distribute cocaine; unlawful use of a communications facility; and forfeiture. 
   
• Tabari A. Wilkerson, also known as “T,” age 37, of Baton Rouge, Louisiana, is charged with conspiracy to distribute and possess with the intent to distribute cocaine and cocaine base; distribution of cocaine; unlawful use of a communications facility; and forfeiture. 
   
• Morgan M. Dillon, also known as “Mo,” age 33, of Baton Rouge, Louisiana, is charged with conspiracy to distribute and possess with the intent to distribute cocaine and cocaine base; distribution of cocaine base; possession with the intent to distribute cocaine; unlawful use of a communications facility; and forfeiture. 
   
• Thurman Ray Morris, age 57, of Denham Springs, Louisiana, is charged with conspiracy to distribute and possess with the intent to distribute cocaine and cocaine base; distribution of cocaine base; unlawful use of a communications facility; and forfeiture. 
   
• Gerald Norwood Cobb, age 63, of Denham Springs, Louisiana, is charged with conspiracy to distribute and possess with the intent to distribute cocaine and cocaine base; distribution of cocaine base; unlawful use of a communications facility; and forfeiture. 
   
• Lashonda Desiree Cobb, age 31, of Denham Springs, Louisiana, is charged with conspiracy to distribute and possess with the intent to distribute cocaine and cocaine base; unlawful use of a communications facility; and forfeiture. 
   
• Dequincy M. Conley, also known as “Dee Dee,” age 39, of Baton Rouge, Louisiana, is charged with conspiracy to distribute and possess with the intent to distribute cocaine and cocaine base and forfeiture. 
   
• Troy Lee Albert, also known as “Shine,” age 32, of Albany, Louisiana, is charged with conspiracy to distribute and possess with the intent to distribute cocaine and cocaine base and forfeiture. 
   
• Shabass J. Dantzler, age 25, of Springfield, Louisiana, is charged with unlawful use of a communications facility.

            If convicted, each defendant could face significant incarceration, fines, restitution, and supervised release following imprisonment.

U.S. Attorney Green stated:  “My office, together with our federal, state, and local partners, will continue to focus our energies and resources on eradicating drug trafficking organizations and the violence that comes with them.  To be clear, dangerous drug dealers will find no safe haven within the federal criminal justice system.  I greatly appreciate the hardworking team of agents and prosecutors for their tireless efforts during this important operation.  In particular, I would like to recognize the tremendous contribution of the late Officer James E. Foster, Jr., Denham Springs Police Department, who recently lost his life in the line of duty while responding to an emergency.  In remembering Officer Foster, we are reminded of the sacrifices that law enforcement officers and their families make every day to ensure the safety of our community.”

Joseph Shepard, the Assistant Special Agent-in-Charge of the New Orleans Division of the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration, stated: “Today’s indictment and arrests stand as a warning to those individuals whose greed drives them to pollute the greater Baton Rouge area with poisonous contraband.  The message that law enforcement continues to send to drug dealers is, selling drugs will bring an end to your freedom.  DEA and our other federal, state, and local counterparts will remain steadfast in our resolve to rid our community of this clear and present danger.”

Livingston Parish Sheriff Jason Ard stated:  “It’s an honor that the hardworking men and women, who make up my Narcotics Division, played a vital role in this extensive investigation.  The teamwork between agencies helps to keep us all safe.”

This operation is being handled by the U.S. Attorney’s Office, the U.S. Drug Enforcement Agency, the Livingston Parish Sheriff’s Office, and the Denham Springs Police Department, with assistance from the 21^st Judicial District Attorney’s Office, East Baton Rouge Sheriff’s Office, Baton Rouge City Police Department, and the Louisiana State Police.  This matter is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Cam T. Le.

NOTE: An indictment is an accusation by the Grand Jury.  The defendant is presumed innocent until and unless adjudicated guilty at trial or through a guilty plea.