Zeno gets life

District Attorney Asa Skinner and Vernon Parish Sheriff Sam Craft display $13,000 worth of crack cocaine and $40,000 in cash that was confiscated in 2008 as part of a multi-agency investigation between the Vernon Parish Narcotics Task Force and the Federal Bureau of Investigation. The crack cocaine shown here, known as "cookies" for their resemblance to the treat, were found in a birthday gift bag in car of Courtney Zeno, who was sentenced to life in prison on Thursday for charges resulting from the investigation. The street value of one "cookie" is about $500, depending upon weight. Some of the crack had been pre-cut into quarters. Three evidence bags worth of cash, bundled in $1,000 stacks to make drug transactions less conspicuous, according to the agent, were found in the vehicle during the initial search, while the majority of the cash was found in a safe at a residence connected to the investigation. The cash will be held at the district attorney's office until it's been approved to be distributed. Then, it will be divided among three entities: the sheriff's office will receive 60 percent to be used for drug enforcement; the district attorney's office will receive 20 percent; and the parish court systems will receive 20 percent.