Natchitoches Parish, Louisiana - The Central Louisiana Violent Crime Abatement Team (VCAT) carried out a highly effective operation on March 17 and 18 to combat violent crime. This joint effort included the Louisiana State Police (LSP), Louisiana Probation and Parole (LAP&P), Rapides Parish Sheriff’s Office (RPSO), Natchitoches Parish Sheriff’s Office (NPSO), Sabine Parish Sheriff’s Office (SPSO) and the Natchitoches Police Department (NPD).

The objective of the mission was to find, recognize, and capture individuals participating in different kinds of illegal activities, such as weapons violations, violent crimes, possession of stolen items, and possession/distribution of illegal drugs.

As a result of collaboration between multiple agencies and the hard work of everyone involved, the operation was a success and achieved:

• 16 suspects of possession of marijuana
• 1 count of possession of marijuana with intent to distribute.
• 4 individuals were found in possession of methamphetamine
• 2 individuals were found in possession of fentanyl and/or cocaine.
• 1 count of possession of hydrocodone (CDS II)
• 1 count of possession of buprenorphine (CDS III)
• 1 was arrested for a second or subsequent offense
• 1 arrested for aggravated flight from an officer.
• 4 instances of resisting an officer
• 6 arrested for possession of a firearm by a felon 
• 3 were arrested for carrying a weapon while in possession of controlled dangerous substances
• 2 arrested for possessing controlled dangerous substances in the presence of a minor
• 2 arrested for possession of a stolen firearm
• 1 failure to appear in Desoto Parish
• 18 failure to appear for Natchitoches Parish Sheriff’s Office 
• 23 arrested for failure to appear for Natchitoches  Police Department
• 7 arrested for warrants from NCIC 
• 13 warrants from the City Marshal
• 1 was arrested in connection with an NCIC warrant from the Shreveport PD for 2nd Degree Murder

Drug seizure totals: 

• Marijuana weighing 570 grams
• Cocaine weighing 3 grams
• Methamphetamine weighing 26.6 grams
• Fentanyl weighing 2 grams
• 5 tablets of prescription pills were found

Firearms seizures: 

• 1 Stolen
• 5 Not stolen

A total of 83 traffic citations were issued and 55 individuals were arrested.

An arrest is an indication that probable cause exists to believe the subject was involved in the offense alleged. All persons are presumed innocent until proven guilty.