Undercover ‘Operation Callout’ Leads to Major Arrests, New Partnerships

A three-day successful operation called Operation Callout produced well over 100 drug and firearm related arrests in Louisiana last week. City, parish, state, and federal law enforcement agencies came together to combat drug violence, and in this investigation their close cooperation paid off.

The multi-agency operation included efforts by Shreveport Police Department, Caddo Parish Sheriff's Office, Louisiana State Police, Shreveport City Marshal, DEA Task Force, FBI Task Force, ATF Task Force, Louisiana National Guard, Homeland Security Investigators, Caddo Parish Attorney's Office and the U.S. Attorney's Office, according to local reports.

Between January 23 and January 25, officers made 168 arrests, issued 96 traffic tickets, and confiscated 54 firearms.

Officers also recovered 48 pounds of marijuana, 271 doses of LSD, 193.8 grams of crack, and other street drugs. Officers estimate the crack alone to be worth almost $19,000.

Acting Shreveport Chief of Police Ben Raymond explained during a press conference announcing the bust, “We made a total of 87 felony and 81 misdemeanor arrests. So 168 total arrests just from this three day operation. It doesn't include what the other officers, troopers, deputies, and agents doing during the entire 72 hour period; just our group of agents working together.”

Federal authorities also confirmed that operations, such as Operation Callout, will become the “new normal” as law enforcement agencies continue to work together to combat drug use and violent crime in the state.