Evangeline Parish – On September 19, 2026, Detectives with the Louisiana State Police Criminal Investigations Division (LSP-CID), Breaux Bridge Field Office, were requested by the Turkey Creek Police Department to investigate the circumstances surrounding the death of 17-year-old Taylon Hebert, who was found deceased the day prior at his residence in Turkey Creek.
The preliminary investigation revealed that the day before his death, Hebert purchased over-the-counter herbal supplement pills from the Tobacco Tavern in Ville Platte, which were suspected to contain a Schedule I Controlled Dangerous Substance. Detectives also learned that on September 19, 2026, agents with the Office of Alcohol and Tobacco Control (ATC), along with Evangeline Parish Sheriff’s Office (EPSO) Deputies, seized similar pills from the same location.
As part of the investigation, with the assistance of ATC and EPSO, detectives executed a search warrant at Tobacco Tavern and seized additional over-the-counter herbal supplement pills suspected to contain a Schedule I Controlled Dangerous Substance, as well as other items of evidentiary value.
Following the investigation, detectives obtained arrest warrants for the owner of Tobacco Tavern, 34-year-old Musa Saleh Salem, and an employee, 29-year-old Ghaleb Mohammed Mousa, both residents of New Iberia, for Distribution of a Schedule I Controlled Dangerous Substance.
On September 24, 2026, Mousa was arrested and booked into the Evangeline Parish Jail. The following day, detectives arrested Salem, who was also booked into the jail.
Senator Heather Cloud provided the following statement regarding the investigation.
“Anyone who knowingly sells dangerous, illegal products to adolescents is putting profit before children’s lives. These sellers evade the law and place products of unknown safety and potency in young hands, with potentially devastating consequences, as our family has experienced. Parents must understand the danger, talk with their children, and stay vigilant. If you know of anyone selling these products, report them immediately to the ATC and local law enforcement.”
Louisiana State Police remains committed to working with its law enforcement partners to enforce Louisiana’s drug laws and safeguard communities from the dangers associated with illegal narcotics.
The public is encouraged to report suspicious activities that may threaten community safety. To submit a report, please contact the LSP Suspicious Activity Hotline at 1-800-434-8007, use the “See Send” smartphone app, or use our online reporting system by visiting the LA-SAFE website at
http://la-safe.org/ and clicking the “report suspicious activity” link. These systems provide a convenient and secure reporting form that is submitted to the appropriate investigators.
This remains an active investigation. No further information is available at this time.
Contact Information:
Sgt. Peggy Bourque
Louisiana State Police
Public Affairs Section
