A task force of law enforcement officials in Louisiana was able to confiscate thousands of pain pills after information was received about a huge shipment of the drug coming into New Orleans from a foreign source.

According to the Louisiana State Police, as their joint investigation proceeded, they discovered that many shipments were scheduled to come into the New Orleans area and to be delivered to multiple homes.

What Is A Tapentadol Pill?

Tapentadol is prescribed to relieve nerve pain, according to the Mayo Clinic. For example, if a patient has nerve pain in the nerve endings due to damage from diabetes, a doctor might prescribe this.

The drug that was being shipped from the foreign entity is called Tapentadol. While you may not know it by that name, you might know it by its brand name, Nucynta.

The FDA has recently approved this drug to treat nerve pain. Officials say, "It is classified as a Schedule II medication because of its high risk of abuse and addiction."

Why Are Officials Focusing on Tapentadol?

Officials say they are seeing a rise in the number of pills being used in the New Orleans area.

In addition, law enforcement agents have learned there are a number of illegal sales happening in the city.

What's The Danger Of Illegal Sales Of Tapentadol?

One of the biggest problems is, of course, addiction. Along with the addiction issue, how does someone know what they are buying?

Are you getting a real Tapentadol pill, or is it filled with other substances, including things like Fentanyl? If you're buying it without a prescription, that's illegal.

Authorities say it's been obtained through theft, online sales, and prescription fraud.

Tapentadol Drug Bust
Photo courtesy of Louisiana State Police
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How Did The Ring Operate?

Investigators were able to determine that a postal worker, 46-year-old Bahiyyah Shabazz of Metairie, was being paid off to help with the drug transaction because he was getting paid off by 21-year-old Lerone Hines of New Orleans.

According to officials, the packages of Tapentadol were being sent via U.S. mail to various houses in the New Orleans area, and investigators were about to seize the packages.

Once they were made aware of the large purchases, they began investigating in November 2024 and started intercepting the packages then through January 2025.

Who Was Arrested?

  • 46-year-old Bahiyyah Shabazz of Metairie
  • 21-year-old Jeremiah Hill of New Orleans
  • 21-year-old Lerone Hines of New Orleans
  • 23-year-old Derek Davis of Baton Rouge
Bust
Photo courtesy of US Customs and Border Patrol
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What Charges Were The Suspects Booked Into Jail For?

  • Shabazz: Distribution of a Schedule II CDS (Tapentadol), Malfeasance in Office, Mail Theft.
  • Davis: Possession with intent to distribute a Schedule II CDS (Tapentadol), Possession of a Firearm in the Presence of a CDS, Conspiracy to Distribute a Schedule II CDS (Tapentadol).
  • Hines: Possession with intent to distribute a Schedule II CDS (Tapentadol), Possession of a Firearm in the Presence of a CDS, Possession of a Firearm by a Convicted Felon, Proceeds from Drug Transactions, Possession with the intent to distribute a Schedule II CDS (Marijuana and Psilocybin Mushrooms), Conspiracy to Distribute a Schedule II CDS (Tapentadol), Conspiracy to Distribute a Schedule I CDS (Marijuana).
  • Hill: Possession with intent to distribute a Schedule II CDS (Tapentadol), Possession of a Firearm in the Presence of a CDS, Possession of a Firearm by a Convicted Felon, Possession with the intent to distribute a Schedule II CDS (Marijuana and Psilocybin Mushrooms), Possession of Drug Paraphernalia, Conspiracy to Distribute a Schedule II CDS (Tapentadol), Conspiracy to Distribute a Schedule I CDS (Marijuana).

All of the men were booked into the Orleans Parish Justice Center.


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