Jason Muse, Heroin Trafficking, Louisiana 2024

A massive heroin trafficking ring has been dismantled in Louisiana, thanks to a joint federal, state, and local investigation. Operation Dirty Bird, as it’s called, has led to the indictment of 18 defendants, including Jason Muse, a 37-year-old man from Prairieville, Louisiana.

Muse, along with 17 others, face serious charges including conspiracy, distribution of heroin, and illegal use of communications facilities. The indictment, which spans 39 pages, alleges that the group was involved in a large-scale heroin trafficking operation based in Ascension Parish and Houston, Texas.

The investigation, which began in 2023, has resulted in the seizure of over 1.5 kilograms of heroin, substantial amounts of methamphetamine, crack cocaine, and oxycodone, as well as seven firearms and three vehicles allegedly used in the drug trafficking venture.

According to the indictment, Muse is charged with conspiracy, distribution of heroin, possession with intent to distribute 500 grams or more of heroin, and several other counts related to firearms and communications facilities. If convicted, he faces significant terms of imprisonment and fines.

The indictment also names Santos Mosquera-Candelo, a 63-year-old man from Colombia, who is charged with conspiracy and illegal use of communications facilities. Additionally, 16 other defendants, including Alexis Alberto Vener, Aron Winter Mosquera-Castro, and Fabio Zuniga-Caicedo, are also facing charges related to the heroin trafficking conspiracy.

The investigation involved federal, state, and local law enforcement agencies, including the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Middle District of Louisiana, the Louisiana State Police, and the Ascension Parish Sheriff’s Office. The indictment is a significant blow to the heroin trafficking ring, but it’s clear that there’s still much work to be done to combat the opioid epidemic in Louisiana.

The defendants are listed below, along with the specific charges they face:

• Jason Muse, 37, Prairieville, Louisiana: conspiracy, distribution of heroin, possession with intent to distribute 500 grams or more of heroin, felon in possession of a firearm, possession of a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime, unlawful use of communications facilities, and forfeiture.
• Santos Mosquera-Candelo, 63, Colombia: conspiracy, unlawful use of communications facilities, and forfeiture.
• Alexis Alberto Vener, 32, Houston, Texas: conspiracy, unlawful use of communications facilities, and forfeiture.
• Aron Winter Mosquera-Castro, 22, Houston, Texas: conspiracy, unlawful travel in aid of a racketeering enterprise, unlawful use of communications facilities, and forfeiture.
• Fabio Zuniga-Caicedo, 37, Houston, Texas: conspiracy, unlawful travel in aid of a racketeering enterprise, unlawful use of communications facilities, and forfeiture.
• Marshall Ann Muse, 31, Prairieville, Louisiana: conspiracy, unlawful use of communications facilities, and forfeiture.
• Darwin A. Elphage, 38, Gonzales, Louisiana: conspiracy, distribution of heroin, possession with intent to distribute heroin and cocaine base, felon in possession of a firearm, unlawful use of communications facilities, and forfeiture.
• Herman Jimmerson III, 33, Gonzales, Louisiana: conspiracy, unlawful use of communications facilities, and forfeiture.
• Kevin Boudreaux, 47, Baton Rouge, Louisiana: conspiracy, unlawful use of communications facilities, and forfeiture.
• Anthony Gerrod Miller, 38, Geismar, Louisiana: conspiracy, unlawful use of communications facilities, and forfeiture.
• Nicholas Sean Fobbs, 28, Gonzales, Louisiana: conspiracy, unlawful use of communications facilities, and forfeiture.
• Raymond Gerard Comeaux, Jr., 26, Donaldsonville, Louisiana: conspiracy, unlawful use of communications facilities, and forfeiture.
• Jablonski Hankton, 35, Gonzales, Louisiana: conspiracy, unlawful use of communications facilities, and forfeiture.
• Jermaine Christopher Pleasant, 36, Donaldsonville, Louisiana: conspiracy, unlawful use of communications facilities, and forfeiture.
• Michael L. Williams, 45, Geismar, Louisiana: conspiracy, unlawful use of communications facilities, and forfeiture.
• Larry Earl Miles, 27, Donaldsonville, Louisiana: conspiracy, unlawful use of communications facilities, and forfeiture.
• Derrick Christopher Mills, 27, St. James, Louisiana: conspiracy, unlawful use of communications facilities, and forfeiture.
• Denmond L. Smith, 38, St. James, Louisiana: conspiracy, unlawful use of communications facilities, and forfeiture.

The defendants are expected to appear in federal court in the coming weeks to face their charges.

MORE FEDERAL CRIME NEWS

Drug Trafficking

Miguel Angel Galicia-Canseco, Possession with Intent to Distribute Methamphetamine, Arkansas 2017

Mar 7, 2018

Drug Trafficking

Patrick Griffin, Methamphetamine and Heroin Trafficking, Ohio 2018

Jun 11, 2019

Drug Trafficking

Tolomah Foy, Possession with Intent to Distribute, United States Virgin Islands 2024

Dec 13, 2016

Drug Trafficking

Oregon Residents Can Dump Unused Pills This Saturday

Oct 23, 2025