Jennings police on Thursday seized 11 pounds of narcotics including fentanyl and heroin in what police are saying is the city’s largest ever fentanyl and heroin drug bust.

Police also arrested a Jennings man as the result of an ongoing investigation into a series of recent drug overdoses, including one death, within the city.

Between Jan. 2-7, the Jennings Police Department responded to five calls in reference to multiple overdoses throughout the city. A total of nine individuals have overdosed on narcotics in recent weeks, resulting in the death of a man in his mid-30s, according to Semmes.

“The overdoses occurred throughout the city of Jennings, both east and west side,” Semmes said.

The victims, who ranged in various ages, races and sexes are believed to have overdosed on heroin or fentanyl.

“We received numerous calls from individuals concerning the overdoses and they were concerned about what we were actually doing about the cases,” Semmes said during a press conference Friday. “We weren’t able to divulge the information at the time, but we were on top of this.”

Through a joint investigation with the Jeff Davis Parish Sheriff’s Office, narcotic agents were able to share information including evidence obtained at the scenes of the overdoses, Semmes said.

“The Jennings Police Department Narcotics Division began an investigation into sources of the narcotics provided to the overdose victims where they conducted multiple hours of surveillance and other investigative tasks,” he said.  “Through the investigation the narcotics division was able to identify a possible source.”

Robert Martin, 59, of Jennings was arrested Thursday on four counts of manufacture and distribution of a controlled dangerous substance. He also faces additional charges of distribution and intent to distribute a Schedule I drug and possession of drug paraphernalia.

Martin, who recently moved to the area from Houston, is being held on a $1 million bond in the parish jail.

Martin was arrested following a search of a South Main Street residence where Martin and a female were located and detained on Thursday, Semmes said. The female was not arrested.

During the search, police seized 11 pounds of narcotics, including marijuana, meth, powder cocaine, heroin and fentanyl. Police also found a bag containing 16 ounces of pure fentanyl with an estimated street value of $325,000 with enough doses to kill 406,500 people, Semmes said.

Police also recovered a large amount of blue fentanyl which police say was found at the scene of at least two of the overdoses. The blue fentanyl is known to be high in potency, according to Semmes.

In addition, police also seized over $20,000 in cash, numerous preloaded needles ready-for-sell to individuals, multiple containers to store the narcotics and a gas mask used to process the fentanyl were also recovered from inside the residence.

In all, Semmes said nearly $800,000 of narcotics and related-drug items were seized from the residence.

“This actually puts a dent in the problem for a short period of time, at least,” Semmes said.

Martin claimed ownership of the narcotics and told authorities the woman was not involved with the narcotics, he said. Martin and the woman contend she was secluded to a backroom of the residence and did not know what was going on, Semmes said.

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Free Narcan is available by calling Southwest Louisiana Do No Harm at 337-930-2286. A program is available through the emergency room of Ochsner American Legion Hospital for those with addiction seeking help.