Police find nearly 50 pounds of marijuana at post office; two men arrested

When a Bogalusa man went to the post office to pick up a package Friday afternoon, about 20 law enforcement officers from a handful of agencies were conducting surveillance at the scene, ready to pick him up shortly thereafter.

The package contained about 13 pounds of marijuana, and it was one of three Edward Dubisson, 38, 1211 Avenue I, had arranged to pick up at the local post office, said Bogalusa Police Capt. Joe Culpepper.

Total, the three packages held close to 50 pounds of marijuana, he said.

“The post office has a process in place that allows them to spot suspicious packages that might contain drugs,” said Culpepper. “On Thursday, postal authorities notified Bogalusa PD that several boxes suspected of containing marijuana  had been sent to the Bogalusa post office.”

The postal authorities brought the suspicious packages to BPD. Their suspicions were confirmed, and a joint investigation was initiated, he said.

Officers staked out the post office and the surrounding area.

“On Friday, Dubisson was driven to the post office by (Billy) Mullins,” said Culpepper. “Dubisson went into the post office, signed for a box containing approximately 13 pounds of marijuana. He was arrested as he left the Post Office. Mullins was arrested seconds later, still sitting in his vehicle waiting for Dubisson.

“Dubisson had arranged for three boxes of marijuana to be delivered to Bogalusa for a total weight of approximately 48 pounds. Search warrants were served on the addresses shown on the shipping labels.”

No other drugs were found at those addresses, but paraphernalia, including a scale, was found at Dubisson’s residence, he said.

Mullins, 36, 641 Avenue E, and Dubisson were both charged with possession of marijuana with intent to distribute. The penalty for a conviction ranges from five to 30 years in prison, said Culpepper.

The packages originated in Texas, and any action against the sender, if he or she could be located, would be undertaken by the postal authorities and law enforcement on that end, he said.

Besides the BPD and postal inspectors, the Louisiana State Police, Washington Parish Sheriff’s Office and Franklinton Police Department were involved in the joint operation.