PICAYUNE, Miss. (DarkHorse Press) – A man who dubbed himself the “Picayune King” is behind bars after a major drug bust revealed not only illegal substances and firearms but also eight live alligators in his backyard pool.
Detectives from the Picayune Police Department’s Special Operations Division (SOD) had been investigating Ryan Howard, a resident of Glenwood Street, for suspected illegal activity.
St. Tammany Parish Sheriff’s Office in Louisiana arrested Howard and gave critical information that led to a search warrant for his home.
When detectives executed the search warrant, they found:
- 51 pounds of marijuana
- 6 ounces of mushrooms
- 13 vials of marijuana seeds
- Anabolic steroids
- Packaging materials for bulk sales
- 14 firearms
- And, unexpectedly, eight alligators in the backyard pool
Adding to the charges, Howard and a minor child had been previously stopped in Louisiana, where authorities found 80 pounds of marijuana in their vehicle, believed to have been headed for Picayune.
Howard now faces multiple charges, with more expected as the investigation continues. The Mississippi Department of Wildlife, Fisheries, and Parks has stepped in to ensure the safe relocation of the alligators.
“We want to make one thing clear: we will not tolerate drug activity in Picayune,” the police department stated. “We will work tirelessly to ensure our city is safe, for residents and even the alligators.”
Picayune police and the St. Tammany Parish Sheriff’s Office worked together on the case.
