05/27/2026
In late April of 2026, agents with the Rapides Area Drug Enforcement (RADE) Unit began receiving multiple community complaints in reference to individuals living in the 1700 block of Thornton Court, Alexandria, LA, allegedly selling narcotics out of a residence. RADE Agents were very familiar with this address as they have served multiple search warrants at this residence in the past from prior investigations.
RADE has previously arrested suspects living at this residence, including Craig Brown who is currently serving time for drug trafficking. In the last few years, RADE has seized over 8 pounds of Fentanyl, over 4 pounds of Methamphetamines, Ma*****na, multiple fi****ms, and a variety of drug paraphernalia from this address and from traffic stops related to investigations involving this address.
Agents began their investigation into the anonymous community complaints and through surveillance techniques and investigative means, they identified Diante Brown as the main suspect. An arrest warrant for Diante Brown for Distribution of CDS II (Fentanyl) was obtained and a search warrant for 1735 Thornton Court was also secured.
On May 20th, 2026, RADE Agents, with the assistance of the Alexandria Police Department Special Response Team, executed the search warrant at 1735 Thornton Court where Diante Brown was taken into custody without incident on the active distribution warrant. Agents also conducted a search of the residence where 11 plastic bags, all containing suspected Fentanyl, were located along with multiple digital scales and other items of paraphernalia. The total weight of the suspected fentanyl weighed approximately 1.5 pounds. Brown also possessed over $2000.00 in assorted U.S. currency.
Diante Brown was placed under arrest, transported and booked into the Rapides Parish Detention Center-1 for the active distribution warrant, Possession of CDS II (Fentanyl) with Intent to Distribute and possession of Drug Paraphernalia. Brown was issued Civil Asset Forfeiture paperwork for the seized cash.
Diante Brown remains in jail at the time of this release, being held on a $1,000,500.00 bond.
Agents say their investigation is still ongoing and more arrests are possible.
“As I have said many times before, point us in the right direction and we will investigate these community complaints and follow that investigation where it takes us” said Sheriff Mark Wood. “We will continue to do everything we can to keep this poison out of our community and with the public’s help, we are doing that. I would also like to thank our partner agencies that work closely with us every day to fulfill this mission.”
The Rapides Area Drug Enforcement (RADE) Unit is a multi-jurisdictional team comprised of 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, Rapides Parish District Attorney’s Office, Louisiana Department of Probation and Parole and the FBI SAFE STREETS TASK FORCE.
The RADE Unit continues to target individuals suspected of trafficking narcotics in the Central Louisiana area. If you have information or would like to report any narcotics activity, you may do so by sending direct messages to the Rapides Area Drug Enforcement page at https://www.facebook.com/RADEunit/.
“ALL PERSONS ARE PRESUMED INNOCENT UNTIL PROVEN GUILTY IN A COURT OF LAW OR ADMINISTRATIVE ACTION.”
Arrestee:
Diante Brown, 28
1735 Thornton Court, Alexandria, LA
Charges:
Warrant – Possession with Intent to Distribute Fentanyl
Possession with Intent to Distribute Fentanyl
Possession of drug paraphernalia
Probation Violation
