New Orleans Police Department talks multi-agency drug operation results

NEW ORLEANS (WGNO) — Officials with the New Orleans Police Department as well as other local and federal law enforcement agencies came together on Tuesday to discuss current results in an ongoing operation to remove drugs, criminals and firearms from the city’s streets.

According to the NOPD, organizations that have been helping with the operation, which began in August of 2024, include the ATF, Homeland Security Investigations and the Orleans Parish District Attorney’s Office.

The NOPD’s Special Operation Division along with the ATF and HSI have been working as parts of the Joint Tactical Intelligence Group to achieve the operation’s goal, obtaining charges through the district attorney’s office.

Officials report that, by May 5, the operation had resulted in 106 arrests, of which 45 included counts of illegal possession of a firearm, and 194 arrest warrants cleared. Additionally, investigators say the following items were seized:

• Guns seized: 85, 17 of which were reported to be stolen.
• 6 pounds of marijuana.
• 5 grams of crack cocaine.
• 7,790 tapentadol tablets.
• 221 grams of heroin.
• 58 pounds of crystal methamphetamine.
• 85 pounds of Ecstasy pills.
• 7 grams of amphetamines.
• 12 hydrocodone pills.
• 54 Xanax pills.
• 22 oxycodone pills.
• 67 tramadol pills.
• 1 gram of promethazine.
• $129,203

Officials also outlined a recent timeline of arrests as a result of the operation, with two made on April 24, five on April 23, 10 on April 22, two on April 8, one on April 2 and 10 on March 27.

The April 22 arrests, which occurred in the 1800 block of South Claiborne Avenue, were especially significant, as the location was a carwash operation which detectives believe was serving as a hub for illegal drug activity in the area. The investigation reportedly included 12 vehicle searches, as well as drugs, body armor, six firearms and $6,000 in cash being recovered.

“Through this ongoing partnership, we’re using analytical data to assist in obtaining warrants and making multiple arrests on high-risk warrant executions to take numerous illegal narcotics and suspects off our streets,” NOPD Superintendent Anne Kirkpatrick said.

Latest Posts