Shoplifting case leads Eunice police to seize $10,000 in drugs, guns, drug paraphernalia (updated)

Eunice police say a shoplifting case at the Eunice Walmart led them to a cache of drugs valued at about $10,000, numerous weapons, $2,000 in cash and drug paraphernalia that they seized.
The drugs were mostly crystal meth valued at $9,000 by police, Detective Robert Brickley said
Other drugs seized in the arrest Wednesday at Walmart were cocaine, marijuana, heroin, steroids and liquid codeine, Brickley said.
The man arrested was identified as Ryan Pal Motty, 38, 1400 block of Yukon Avenue, Eunice.
Also arrested in the incident was Letha Ann Hicks, 26, of the same address.
“They were arrested for shoplifting,” Brickley said. “After his arrest, it was discovered he was in possession of prescription narcotics that were not prescribed to him.”
Brickley said Motty was opening computer related items valued at about $50 when was he detained for shoplifting.
On Thursday, detectives received information the suspect’s vehicle was still parked at the Walmart parking lot with a large amount of crystal meth inside of it, Brickley said.
There was nearly a pound of crystal meth in the truck, he said. All of the drugs seized and two of the firearms were found in the pickup truck, he said.
“My information is he is purchasing in large scale and he just made a large purchase, $10,000,” Brickley said.
Eunice Police Chief Randy Fontenot said, “This is the biggest one we’ve had in the past year.”
Brickley said Motty faces several other charges as the investigation continues.
Fontenot said the Eunice City Court probation department assisted in the case.