Authorities Sunday released limited details about a joint investigation that resulted in raids in Slidell.
"Slidell Police Chief Randy Fandal is deeply concerned that these violent criminals are frequently choosing Slidell to reside 'because it is a safe place to live.'" according Public Information Officer Daniel M. Seuzeneau.
Earlier in the week the Slidell Police Narcotics Division, S.W.A.T. Division, and partners from several federal agencies executed warrants in neighborhoods located off the Robert Boulevard corridor.
SPD called the raids "high-risk."
"At this time, we can provide a brief update; however, details will still be limited due to the nature of this on-going investigation."
Police say the investigation revolved around two Slidell homes, "Which were related to violent gang activity occurring in the New Orleans Metro area."
The searches reportedly yielded the seizure of tens of thousands of dollars in illicit funds, multiple fully automatic high-capacity rifles and handguns, and an assortment of illegal narcotics.
"Many of the weapons were determined to be stolen. Multiple arrests were made during this investigation; however, due to the on-going investigation, the identity of the offenders is being withheld."
Slidell Police Chief Randy Fandal said, "First, excellent job to all involved with the raids conducted last Tuesday. We removed some extremely violent individuals who were living right under our noses here in the Slidell community. We are seeing an influx of criminals - most of which are part of organized violent crime gangs - choosing Slidell as their place to live because ‘they feel safe’. These criminals are committing robberies, carjackings and murders inside and around the city of New Orleans, but then coming home to sleep in their ‘safe environment’ here in Slidell."
The chief said that while living in Slidell make killers, carjackers and violent criminals feel safe; they can't escape the police.
