What started as a simple traffic stop over a sketchy temp tag in New Orleans ended with troopers pulling a pharmacy’s worth of pills, a stash of drugs and a gun off the streets, according to state police.
State troopers assigned to Troop NOLA, working with members of the Louisiana National Guard, stopped a vehicle on Wednesday and uncovered prescription pills, methamphetamine, marijuana and a firearm, officials said. The driver was arrested at the scene and later booked on multiple drug, gun and traffic counts.
According to a Louisiana State Police Facebook post, troopers first spotted a car displaying a fraudulent temporary tag near North Miro Street, then pulled it over at Orleans Avenue and North Rocheblave Street. During the stop, officers reported finding 119 dosage units of tapentadol, 15 dosage units of methamphetamine, about 434 grams of marijuana, one dosage unit of hydrocodone, a half dosage unit of oxycodone, 30 milliliters of promethazine, packaging consistent with drug distribution and a firearm.
Troop NOLA was set up to boost state police presence in New Orleans and run targeted traffic and narcotics operations, as Axios reported. Officials say the unit is meant to supplement local officers in neighborhoods where violent crime and drug activity are persistent concerns.
Search Warrant Leads Troopers to More Drugs and Another Gun
After the arrest, investigators developed information that more narcotics might be stashed at a residence on Mithra Street. They secured a search warrant and, during that search, seized 100 dosage units of tapentadol, 41.3 grams of methamphetamine, 28.6 grams of crack cocaine, approximately 8 grams of fentanyl, 66 grams of marijuana, another firearm and a quantity of U.S. currency, according to the Louisiana State Police Facebook post. Investigators also reported finding more packaging consistent with drug distribution.
Guard Support Adds Muscle to Multi‑Agency Patrols
The Louisiana National Guard has been mobilized to back up law enforcement operations in New Orleans this season, providing a uniformed presence and extra support during larger enforcement efforts, the American Press reported. State police described the traffic stop and the follow-up search as part of a proactive push to get illegal narcotics and firearms off neighborhood streets.
According to the charges listed in the post, the driver was booked on two counts of possession of a firearm in the presence of a controlled dangerous substance, multiple counts of possession with intent to distribute controlled substances, possession of drug proceeds and several traffic violations. Officials did not immediately release the driver’s name or any additional information about upcoming court dates.
