Local principal arrested on drug charges

Lee Street Alternative School Principal Darius Sias was arrested on drug, firearm and counterfeit money charges this morning after his house was raided at 1:19 a.m.

Sias, 38, was arrested by Iberia Parish Sheriff’s Office narcotics officers at a residence in the 300 block of McIlhenny Street.

He has been charged with possession of cocaine, possession of marijuana, possession of a firearm while in possession of a controlled substance, monetary instrument abuse (possession of counterfeit money) and possession of drug paraphernalia.

Iberia Parish Assistant Superintendent Michael Judice said this morning the school district could not comment on the arrest because it did not have details from the Iberia Parish Sheriff’s Office.

Iberia Parish Sheriff’s Office Public Information Officer Capt. Wendell Raborn said the arrest was made as part of an ongoing investigation.

“Narcotics officers executed the search warrant at the residence early this morning,” Raborn said.

Also arrested at the residence was Derrick Derouen, 29, who was charged with possession of marijuana and released on a summons.

Raborn said that the U.S. Treasury Department has been contacted regarding the counterfeit money, which was found during the arrest.

“It was slightly more than $300 in counterfeit bills,” Raborn said.

Sias was in the Iberia Parish Jail this morning awaiting a bond hearing.

Daily Iberian reporter Heather Miller contributed to this report.