The New Orleans Police Department and Jefferson Parish Sheriff’s Office announced on March 23 that a joint investigation led to the dismantling of a large-scale drug trafficking and indoor cultivation operation across Orleans and Jefferson Parishes. Authorities seized hundreds of marijuana plants, illegal narcotics, and dozens of firearms, including fully automatic weapons.
The agencies said the investigation identified several individuals involved in cultivating and distributing marijuana between the two parishes. Investigators conducted coordinated surveillance that led them to three separate indoor grow sites.
According to law enforcement officials, search warrants were executed at two locations in Jefferson Parish on March 19, where detectives found advanced indoor cultivation systems with sophisticated lighting, irrigation, and climate control equipment. Officers seized about 190 marijuana plants, 45 pounds of processed marijuana, and made arrests at both sites. The next day in Orleans Parish’s Algiers neighborhood, police discovered another active grow operation with approximately 230 marijuana plants at various stages of growth. Additional seizures included packaged marijuana, psilocybin mushrooms, cocaine, around $5,800 in cash, and roughly 50 firearms ranging from handguns to fully automatic weapons.
“This is about intentional strategies, strong partnerships, and consistent follow through,” NOPD Superintendent Anne 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.”
Jefferson Parish Sheriff Joe Lopinto said: “When agencies work together and remain focused on the fundamentals, we disrupt criminal enterprises and make our cities safer. This is about prevention and protecting the people we serve.”
JPSO reported that two individuals have been arrested as part of this investigation while one suspect remains at large: Long Van Pham (Asian male; date of birth June 9th 1983). He faces charges related to manufacturing with intent to distribute multiple controlled substances as well as firearms violations involving machine guns.
Authorities remind the public that all persons are presumed innocent until proven guilty. Anyone with information regarding this ongoing investigation is encouraged to contact either agency.
