Federal, state, and local law enforcement agencies in New Orleans have announced the results of Operation NOLA Safe, a major initiative aimed at reducing violent crime ahead of Mardi Gras. The operation has led to 175 arrests and the seizure of over 114 firearms, as well as significant quantities of illegal drugs including cocaine, fentanyl, marijuana, tapentadol pills, and other narcotics.
In addition to reporting these outcomes, officials introduced the creation of the Homeland Security Task Force (HSTF), which will focus on disrupting drug and human trafficking networks and dismantling transnational criminal organizations. The HSTF is structured as a permanent multi-agency team with federal, state, local, and tribal participation. Its assignment includes targeting transnational criminal organizations (TCOs) and foreign terrorist organizations involved in cross-border crimes such as drug trafficking, money laundering, human trafficking, alien smuggling, weapons trafficking, among others within Louisiana.
U.S. Attorney David I. Courcelle stated: “Today’s law enforcement operation announcements are, at their core, about one thing … public safety. Safety for all of us, as we work to support and protect our families, as well as to celebrate the uniquely rich culture we enjoy in Southeast Louisiana, of which Mardi Gras is an integral part. The mission of all of us behind this microphone today is the same; to enforce the laws of the land and to protect the public that we are proud to serve.”
Jonathan Tapp from FBI New Orleans said: “We’re getting the job done with intelligence – surveillance – and leads that we’re getting from the community. Our agents and task force officers are using their collective knowledge and expertise to stop criminal activity in its tracks. These aren’t just investigations or statistics for us. We eat, sleep, and breathe violent crime. We are committed to making New Orleans one of the safest places in the country.”
Acting Special Agent in Charge Matt Wright added: “HSI is proud to co-lead the new Homeland Security Task Force and Operation NOLA Safe with the FBI, partnering with our state, local, and federal partners to help ensure public safety. We are committed to combating transnational crime, crimes of exploitation, and other crimes impacting our communities. As part of our overall commitment through partnerships and specialized expertise HSI dismantles criminal networks ensuring that offenders are brought to justice and victims receive the support they deserve.”
ATF New Orleans Special Agent Joshua Jackson said: “ATF’s core mission and purpose are to have impact in preventing reducing and solving violent crime to support public safety,” adding that this operation marks a new level of coordination among agencies.
Shameka Jackson from U.S. Postal Inspection Service commented: “The safety and security of Postal Service employees is core to the mission... Today’s press conference is the culmination of exceptional teamwork between postal inspectors and all our state local federal partners...”
Kenner Police Chief Keith Conley highlighted collaboration across jurisdictions: “It’s no secret that the Kenner Police Department fosters ... relationships on local state federal levels... By working collaboratively we can cross multiple jurisdictions ... reduce solve violent crime”.
Operation NOLA Safe included participation from agencies such as Bureau of Alcohol Tobacco Firearms & Explosives; Drug Enforcement Administration; U.S. Marshals Service; Louisiana State Police; several parish sheriff's offices; city police departments including New Orleans Kenner Gretna Slidell; among others.
The HSTF also involves entities like U.S Customs & Border Protection (including Field Operations Border Patrol Air & Marine Operations); Internal Revenue Service; U.S Coast Guard; United States Secret Service; Immigration & Customs Enforcement–Enforcement & Removal Operations.
The formation follows an executive order issued by President Trump on January 20 2025 titled "Protecting the American People Against Invasion," which called for establishing this task force co-led by FBI ICE-HSI for intelligence-driven coordinated response against threats such as illegal drug firearm trafficking sex trafficking human smuggling activities by cartels transnational criminal organizations.
