ROSE CITY, Texas — A man, who the Orange County Sheriff’s Office says is a drug distributor in the area, is behind bars on nine drug-related charges.
Detectives with the Orange County Narcotics Division stopped 63-year-old Roger Hanks Monday on I-10 in Rose City. Deputies said they saw Hanks committing several traffic violations.
An Orange County Sheriff’s Office K9 Unit named Rudy helped detectives find a large amount of heroin and fentanyl inside Hanks’ vehicle.
He was arrested for possession of a controlled substance.
Throughout an investigation, detectives learned Hanks owned two residences in Vinton, Louisiana.
Law enforcement officials found several firearms, methamphetamine, cocaine, and prescription medications at these residences.
Deputies said they later discovered Hanks was distributing heroin, methamphetamine, and other drugs to the Orange County area.
Hanks is booked in the Orange County Jail, and his bond is set at $75,000, jail records show. He is charged with the following in Texas and Louisiana:
Texas
- Possession of a Controlled Substance, Heroin/Fentanyl, Second-degree felony
Lousiana
- Distribution/possession w/ intent to distribute methamphetamine, Felony
- Distribution/possession w/ intent to distribute cocaine, Felony
- Distribution/possession w/ intent to distribute vyvance, Felony
- Distribution/possession w/ intent to distribute hydrocodone, Felony
- Distribution/possession w/ intent to distribute alprazolam, Felony
- Two counts of possession of firearm or carrying concealed weapon by person convicted of certain felonies, Felonies
- Drug paraphernalia, Misdemeanor
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This is a developing story. We will update with more if and when we receive more confirmed information.
Read the Orange County Sheriff's Office news release...
On Monday, May 16, 2022, detectives with the Orange County Narcotics Division stopped a vehicle on Interstate 10, Rose City, Texas after it was observed committing several traffic violations.
With the assistance of Orange County Sheriff’s Office K9 Unit (Rudy), detectives located a large amount of heroin/fentanyl inside the vehicle driven by Roger Hanks. Hanks was arrested for Possession of a Controlled Substance. Further evidence was uncovered during the investigation that led the Orange County Narcotics Division to team up with the Combined Anti-Drug Team (CAT) Narcotics Task Force and they converged on two residences in Vinton, Louisiana owned by Hanks.
At these residences, several firearms, large amounts of methamphetamine, cocaine, and prescription medications were located.
Later it was discovered that Hanks has been distributing amounts of heroin, methamphetamine, and other drugs to the Orange County area. Heroin/Fentanyl overdoses are rising in the Southeast Texas area and the Orange County Sheriff’s Office is committed to proactively combatting this issue by teaming up with other proactive agencies to diligently fight the war on drugs.
Hanks is currently in jail for the following charges:
TEXAS
Possession of a Controlled Substance Penalty Group 1/1B > 4 grams < 200 grams (Heroin/Fentanyl) [2nd Degree Felony)
LOUISIANA
Distribution/Possession w/ Intent to Distribute Schedule II CDS (Methamphetamine) [Felony]
Distribution/Possession w/ Intent to Distribute Schedule II CDS (Cocaine) [Felony]
Distribution/Possession w/ Intent to Distribute Schedule II CDS (Vyvance) [Felony]
Distribution/Possession w/ Intent to Distribute Schedule II CDS (Hydrocodone) [Felony]
Distribution/Possession w/ Intent to Distribute Schedule IV CDS (Alprazolam) [Felony]
Possession of Firearm or Carrying Concealed Weapon by Person Convicted of Certain Felonies (Two Counts) [Felonies]
Drug Paraphernalia [Misdemeanor]