Louisiana task force seizes $7 million in drugs, weapons, arrests 4
NEW ORLEANS – A Louisiana State Police task force that includes personnel from U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement’s (ICE) Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) New Orleans seized more than $7 million in marijuana, illegal firearms, and arrested four suspects on state drug trafficking charges July 8.
After a month-long investigation into members of a drug-trafficking organization, task force agents executed six search warrants in St. Tammany and Orleans Parishes. In addition to seizing more than 5,300 high-grade marijuana plants, the task force seized a small amount of cocaine, suboxone, two vehicles, two illegal firearms, and approximately $75,000 in U.S. currency.
The drugs and weapons were seized from two separate marijuana grow houses in St. Tammany Parish and Orleans Parish. Hung Q. Nguyen, Phi Q. Nguyen, and Tuan Q. Nguyen were arrested and booked into the St. Tammany Parish Jail for Cultivation of Marijuana, Possession with Intent to Distribute Schedule I Controlled Dangerous Substance, Creation/Operation of a Clandestine Laboratory, Drug Conspiracy, and Racketeering.
Hau Trung Pham was also arrested and booked with two counts of Possession of Schedule II Controlled Dangerous Substance and Possession of a Firearm in the Presence of a Controlled Dangerous Substance.
“HSI remains committed to working with our law enforcement partners to investigate and disrupt drug trafficking in our communities,” said Gilbert Trill, HSI New Orleans acting special agent in charge. “The outcome of this investigation is a testament to the successful collaboration between federal, state, and local law enforcement agencies.”
The drug task force was established as a cohesive partnership of federal, state, and local Northshore law enforcement agencies to proactively enforce narcotics laws and reduce violent crime in and around Northshore communities.
To report illegal drug activity on the Northshore, contact the task force at 985-543-4182.
In addition to HSI, the LSP-led task force is comprised of narcotics agents from the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration, St. Tammany Parish Sheriff’s Office, Washington Parish Sheriff’s Office, Slidell Police Department, and the St. Tammany Parish District Attorney’s Office.
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