NEW ORLEANS (WGNO) — FBI New Orleans officials are announcing the results of their latest collaborative effort to fight violent crime in the metropolitan area.
Nearly 20 law enforcement agencies from St. Bernard Parish to St. John the Baptist Parish participated in Operation Clean House.
The 16-day operation ended with 155 arrests and the confiscation of 54 firearms, 10 firearm switches and various narcotics.
Phase one, which took place from June 3 to June 14, resulted in 74 gun and drug-related arrests. Local law enforcement officers also seized 46 firearms.
“Some of the firearms taken during phase one included AK-47s, AR-15s, Dracos and multiple types of handguns, all used to terrorize our communities,” said FBI New Orleans Special Agent in Charge Lyonel Myrthil.
During Phase Two, which ended on June 26, nearly 80 warrants were cleared, resulting in the arrests of violent crime offenders and recovered firearms.
Officials say special agents staked out high-crime neighborhoods while working on matching their intelligence with witness reports.
“Some of the feedback that we got is we want to take our children out to be able to enjoy this beautiful city,” said Myrthil. “We want to feel safe. We want to enjoy all the festivities and everything that the city has to offer without having to look over our shoulders.”
Authorities also confirmed some of the arrests made by Troop NOLA over the past few weeks were part of Operation Clean House.
The next step is prosecution. According to Duane Evans, U.S. Attorney for the Eastern District of Louisiana, not all the cases will be pursued federally.
“Most of the generated cases will be handled by local district attorney’s offices,” explained Evans. “It is just this type of engagement between our respective offices in which differences are discussed and resolved that ensures the efficient processing of these important cases.”
Operation Clean House may be complete, but FBI New Orleans is already planning its next move.
“To those who choose violence over contributing to our society, our message is firm,” said Myrthil. “We aren’t going away. We know what you’re doing. We know where you are, and you will not see us coming.”
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