The New Orleans Police Department and the Jefferson Parish Sheriff’s Office held a joint news conference Monday to announce the results of a drug trafficking investigation.
According to NOPD Superintendent Anne Kirkpatrick, the operation led to the seizure of drugs, gummies, and more than 50 guns.
Jefferson Parish Sheriff Joe Lopinto said his narcotics division took information from previous cases led to two search warrants, one in Harvey and one in Avondale.
Lopinto said detectives uncovered sophisticated indoor cultivation sites equipped with advanced lighting, irrigation, and climate control systems. Investigators seized approximately 190 marijuana plants and 45 pounds of processed marijuana and made arrests at both locations.
Their investigation led them to a third location in New Orleans.
Kirkpatrick said the NOPD executed a search warrant at a home in Algiers.
Inside, investigators found an active grow operation and seized the following items:
- 230 marijuana plants in various stages of growth
- Packaged marijuana
- Psilocybin mushrooms and cocaine
- Approximately 50 firearms, including handguns, shotguns, rifles, and fully automatic weapons
- Approximately $5,800 in U.S. currency
According to Kirkpatrick, an arrest warrant was issued for Long Van Pham in connection with the guns and drugs found in the home.
“This is about intentional strategies, strong partnerships, and consistent follow through,” Kirkpatrick said. “What we’re seeing here is not just a drug operation, but a dangerous mix of illegal narcotics and high-powered weapons that put our communities at risk. This case underscores the growing sophistication of illegal cultivation operations and their direct link to organized criminal activity and weapons trafficking.”
“When agencies work together and remain focused on the fundamentals, we disrupt criminal enterprises and make our cities safer,” Lopinto said. “This is about prevention and protecting the people we serve.”
JPSO announced the arrest of two subjects in this investigation. However, Pham remains at large.
Pham is wanted on charges included manufacture of marijuana with intent to distribute, possession of marijuana with intent to distribute, possession of ecstasy with intent to distribute, possession of psilocybin mushrooms with intent to distribute, possession of cocaine with intent to distribute, possession of a firearm while in possession of an illegal narcotic and unlawful possession, manufacture or transfer of machine guns.
Anyone with information that can assist in this ongoing investigation is urged to contact the NOPD or the Jefferson Parish Sheriff’s Office immediately.
READ MORE:Drugs and guns found in Harvey, Avondale, New Orleans homes, arrest warrant issued
