Four men are behind bars after a New Orleans Police Department sweep in the 7th Ward turned up drugs, guns and cash, evidence that investigators say links the operation to an April drive-by shooting. The arrests came on the heels of a series of high-risk search warrants carried out in mid-May in the neighborhood.
On May 13, officers served four high-risk search warrants and conducted five vehicle searches in the 1400 block of Annette Street, seizing fentanyl, methamphetamine, marijuana, nearly $8,700 in cash and seven firearms, including one that had been reported stolen. According to WWLTV, officers arrested 46-year-old Tron Hughes, 43-year-old Shawn Major, 51-year-old Corey Major and 41-year-old Lewis Wallace. All four were booked into the Orleans Justice Center on a range of weapons and narcotics counts, including aggravated battery, possession of a firearm by a convicted felon, obstruction of justice and multiple drug charges. Investigators said the evidence collected in the searches connected the men to an earlier shooting in the same area.
Evidence Linked To April Shooting
Police say the seized items are tied to a drive-by shooting that took place April 3 in the 1700 block of North Claiborne Avenue. As reported by WDSU, officers responded that day to a shooting near North Claiborne and St. Anthony streets and took at least one person to the hospital. The department has not released additional information on injuries or possible suspects in that earlier case.
Police Ask For Tips
Officials are asking anyone with information to contact Fifth District detectives or leave an anonymous tip with CrimeStoppers. Per the City of New Orleans, the NOPD Fifth District can be reached at (504) 658-6050, and CrimeStoppers of Greater New Orleans accepts anonymous tips at (504) 822-1111 or online at Crimestoppers GNO. Authorities noted that tips have played a key role in past investigations and urged neighbors to share any information about the recent raid or the April shooting.
What Happens Next
The four men face multiple weapons and narcotics charges and remain in custody while prosecutors review the case. WWLTV reports that the district attorney's office will decide whether to pursue formal indictments. As of the latest update, officials had not released bond amounts or set court dates.
