Lafourche Parish Sheriff Craig Webre announced an investigation into the distribution of heroin in the Thibodaux area has resulted in eight arrests following a four-month investigation.

During the operation, narcotics agents investigated several subjects who were traveling to the New Orleans area to pick up heroin and transporting it back to Lafourche for sale. After investigating several cases, the operation resulted in the arrests of the following individuals:

• Kenneth Babin Jr. (age 35) of Thibodaux – Possession with Intent to Distribute Heroin;
• Shawn Cashio (age 28) of Thibodaux – Distribution of Heroin (two counts), Possession with Intent to Distribute Heroin, Issuing Worthless Checks, Contempt of Court;
• Todd Cashio (age 32) of Thibodaux – Distribution of Heroin (three counts), Possession with Intent to Distribute Heroin, Possession of Methamphetamine, Marijuana, and Drug Paraphernalia;
• Shea Cortez (age 30) of Thibodaux – Principal to Distribution of Heroin;
• Abby Eschete (age 33) of Schriever – Distribution of Heroin (two counts);
• Kenneth Gros Jr. (age 49) of Thibodaux – Distribution of Morphine (two counts), Distribution of Ativan (two counts), Distribution of Oxycodone, Possession of a Legend Drug without Prescription, Possession of Drug Paraphernalia;
• Corey Ortis (age 41) of Thibodaux – Distribution of Methamphetamine (two counts), Possession with Intent to Distribute Methamphetamine, Clonazepam, and Xanax, Possession of Drug Paraphernalia; and
• Troy Rodrigue (age 36) of Thibodaux – Distribution of Heroin, Contempt of Court.

All are currently booked at the Lafourche Parish Detention Center in Thibodaux except Rodrigue who is currently incarcerated at the Terrebonne Parish Jail.

Narcotics agents say others have been identified as part of the operation, and additional arrests are expected.