Plaquemines Parish, LA — February 25, 2026
District Attorney Charles Ballay reports that Jamar Basell Higgins, a 48 year old resident of Belle Chasse has been sentenced by Judge Michael Clement to 10 years in the Department of Corrections after pleading guilty to multiple drug‑related charges stemming from a 2025 narcotics investigation.
The conviction follows a May 22, 2025 operation in which the PPSO Drug Interdiction & Criminal Enforcement Unit (DICE), working with the Major Crimes Task Force (MCTF), executed a search warrant at a home on in Belle Chasse. Detectives located an adult male outside the residence and a female occupant inside a shared bedroom. Both were found to have active attachments from other agencies.
A search of the residence and a 2014 Nissan Pathfinder uncovered a large quantity of controlled substances—including methadone, alprazolam, clonazepam, oxycodone, gabapentin, and buprenorphine—as well as $7,376 in U.S. currency believed to be tied to illegal narcotics sales. Two cell phones were also seized pending search warrants.
Two children, ages 2 and 6, were present in the home at the time, including one sleeping near a bag containing methadone wafers. Detectives reported that many of the recovered prescription bottles had labels removed or belonged to third parties.
Both occupants were arrested and charged with multiple counts of possession with intent to distribute Schedule II–V controlled substances, controlled dangerous substances in the presence of minors, and outstanding attachments. Forfeiture notices were issued for the seized currency and the vehicle. Judge Kevin Connor of the 25th Judicial Court later authorized seizure warrants for both.
The case was prosecuted by Assistance District Attorney Jason Napoli.
