FRANKLINTON — A multi-agency operation in Bogalusa led to 10 arrests and the seizure of more than one kilogram of suspected fentanyl after investigators dismantled a drug distribution network linked to fatal overdoses in Washington Parish, District Attorney J. Collin Sims announced Friday.

The Washington Parish Sheriff's Office, FBI, Drug Enforcement Administration, and both Slidell and Bogalusa Police helped conduct the operation on Thursday. The operation involved the execution of four search warrants and six arrest warrants. Authorities also seized guns and electronic devices during the operation.

Lab analysis revealed counterfeit pills containing cychlorphine, a synthetic opioid that forensic experts estimate is approximately 10 times more potent than fentanyl, were also seized during the investigation.

Two of the 10 people arrested face second-degree murder charges tied to fatal overdoses. Savannah Stephens was arrested on second-degree murder, distribution of a Schedule II controlled dangerous substance and conspiracy charges.

John Stewart was arrested on second-degree murder as a principal, distribution of a Schedule II controlled dangerous substance and conspiracy charges.

Whitney Sykes, Randy King Jr. and Joshua King were each arrested on distribution of a controlled dangerous substance, conspiracy and money laundering charges. Brandon Lotts was arrested on criminal conspiracy to distribute Schedule I, II and IV controlled dangerous substances, conspiracy and transactions involving proceeds from drug offenses.

Four additional people were taken into custody on separate drug and outstanding warrant violations: Brian L. McCrory, Jeffrey Cullen Maddox, Rodney Rayleigh Stewart and Albert Joseph Stewart.

"Operations of this scale do not happen in a silo and no single agency can tackle an enterprise like this alone," Sims said. "This operation succeeded because of seamless collaboration across local, state, federal and parish borders."

The joint investigation ran alongside a series of fatal overdoses in Washington Parish during the summer. Investigators traced drug supply routes from street-level distribution through mid-level suppliers and out-of-state pipelines moving synthetic opioids from Texas, California and Mississippi into Washington Parish.