BATON ROUGE, La. (WAFB) – A New Roads Police Department officer was arrested on charges of distributing oxycodone after the East Baton Rouge Sheriff’s Office narcotics agents conducted a controlled purchase operation.

Quincy Lathers, 44, of Denham Springs, was booked into East Baton Rouge Parish Prison on charges of distribution of Schedule II narcotics and possession of a firearm with controlled dangerous substances.

The investigation began Jan. 29 when narcotics agents received information from a confidential informant about an East Baton Rouge Sheriff’s Office deputy distributing oxycodone and Xanax pills. The informant said they had purchased narcotics from Lathers while he was wearing a sheriff’s office uniform.

Controlled purchase operation

On Feb. 4, the informant contacted Lathers about purchasing pills. Arrest records say Lathers told the informant he had the pills available and arranged to meet in East Baton Rouge Parish.

Narcotics agents equipped the informant with recording equipment and provided documented funds for the transaction. The informant said they purchased 50 30-milligram oxycodone pills from Lathers while agents maintained surveillance.

After the transaction, narcotics agents stopped Lathers several miles from the meeting location. Documents show a search of his vehicle revealed New Roads Police Department-issued equipment, including body armor, a pistol belt, a badge, and a Glock 17 handgun. Agents said Lathers had the documented currency from the drug sale on his person.

Search warrant execution

The same day, Livingston Parish Sheriff’s Office narcotics division executed a search warrant at Lathers’ home on Lockhart Road in Denham Springs. Deputies said they found $3,800 in cash, 5 milliliters of promethazine, and a Ruger .22-caliber rifle.

During a recorded interview, investigators said Lathers told them the oxycodone pills came from someone he called “uncle,” who lives off Cezanne Avenue. He added that he said he picked up the pills to sell and planned to return the money to his source. They said Lathers explained he had only done this once or twice before.

Livingston Parish authorities plan to issue an additional arrest warrant for Lathers related to evidence found at his home.