88 arrests, 11K grams of marijuana apprehended in Ouachita Parish warrant round-up

Over 80 arrests were conducted in Ouachita Parish following a two-day warrant round-up.

The Ouachita Parish Sheriff's Office and other law enforcements made 88 arrests after a warrant round-up in Ouachita Parish on August 30 and August 31.

Of the 88 warrant arrests, 56 of the arrests were identified as "probable cause" arrests, Ouachita Parish Sheriff Jay Russell said. Russell said law enforcement professionals in the parish went above and beyond in apprehending those with active warrants.

".... because of that, almost 14 weapons were seized," Russell said. "Multiple drug arrests were made and these individuals, that we were looking for with these warrants were those who actually failed to appear in court and were also dealing drugs and guns, and in our community committing other crimes. There's no other way to put the emphasis on this, how important it was to get these individuals off the street."

A substantial amount of drugs and firearms were seized during the arrests. 14 guns, three of which were stolen, were seized along with 11,593 grams of marijuana. 505 Xanax pills, 47 fentanyl pills, 2 grams of powder fentanyl, 330 Ecstasy pills, 31.3 grams of cocaine, 12 hydrocodone pills, 25 grams of methamphetamine, a clonazepam, and a body armor vest were also seized.

With the results from the round-up, Monroe Mayor Friday Ellis said the numbers speak volumes.

"If it weren't for the bravery of these men and women that were apart of this, to risk their lives every single day, to serve and protect you, we would not have a civilized society here in our parish," Ellis said.

Monroe Police Chief Vic Zordan touted the amount of guns that were taken off of the street, specifically the three stolen firearms, and advised residents against leaving their guns in their vehicles at night.

"Bad guys, you need 365 days a year to be lucky," Zordan said. "All we need is one, and this was our one."

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This article originally appeared on Monroe News-Star: Over 80 arrests in Ouachita Parish warrant round-up in August