MORGAN CITY, La. (NEWS 15) — A continued investigation into local vape shops has led to three arrests and the seizure of over $20,000. Authorities are focusing on the sale of tianeptine, often called “gas station heroin.”

Raed Kassim, 40, of Patterson, is charged with possession with intent to distribute tianeptine, possession with intent to distribute marijuana, transactions involving proceeds from drug sales, illegal carrying of weapons, violation of uniform CDS, and drug-free zone violation. He was previously arrested on tianeptine charges in mid-May.

Ammar Balwi, 30, of Plaquemine, faces the same charges as Kassim.

Amber Yarbrough, 42, of Morgan City, is charged with principal to possession with intent to distribute tianeptine.

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MORGAN CITY, La. (NEWS 15) — The Morgan City Police Department Narcotics Division recently arrested several suspects in an investigation into illegal narcotics, including “gas station heroin.” Raed Kassim, 40, of Patterson, was charged with four counts of distribution of Schedule I CDS (Tianeptine). He is also being held on a warrant from the St. Mary Parish Sheriff’s Office. Katie LeBlanc, 19, of Morgan City, is charged with two counts of distribution of Schedule I CDS (Tianeptine). Madilyn Wilcox, 20, and Lindsay Brown, 20, also of Morgan City, are each charged with a single count of distribution of Schedule I CDS (Tianeptine).

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