ST. TAMMANY PARISH, La. — Police say the streets of Slidell are a little safer tonight after one of its biggest drug busts, with several alleged dealers in custody and both local police and federal agents say they are not stopping here.
Operation Heat Wave has been three months in the making. The illegal drug operation was so big, the Slidell Police Department partnered with the FBI, the DEA, and Department of Homeland Security to yield the largest fentanyl seizure in St. Tammany Parish’s history.
“Major drug traffickers are attempting to set up shop here in our community, because they feel safe, and they have easy access to New Orleans and the surrounding areas to distribute their narcotics,” said Slidell Chief of Police, Randy Fandal.
What law enforcement seized is big. There was 26 pounds of the deadly opioid, fentanyl, along with a haul of meth, heroin, cocaine, ecstasy, $43,000 in cash, and five vehicles, some were stolen. That was along with19 guns, most of those stolen and used in other violent crimes. Some came with an illegal glock switch to make them automatic weapons.
“All of this directly correlates to violent crime which consists of things like robberies, car jackings, and even murders. By taking this operation and putting these people in jail, we definitely had an impact on violent crime across this metro area,” said the chief.
Along with taking down several street level dealers, two regional drug suppliers were arrested. They are accused of selling fentanyl every day to people across the Northshore and New Orleans area. Rodney Reynolds,44, of Slidell, is also under indictment for second degree murder, and accused of being a fentanyl dealer.
“Each and every day, we continue to battle this scourge of illicit narcotics and weapons that are crossing our borders. These transnational criminal organizations are flooding our streets, our borders, with these drugs and these narcotics that kill our children, our brothers, our sisters. It has to stop,” said Edward Owens, the Special Agent-In-Charge of Homeland Security Investigations.
“If you're here, or even thinking about coming here, know this. We're coming for you. Slidell’s finest and out partners with the FBI,
DEA, and Homeland Security, are committed to take you off our streets. You’re killing our citizens, and it’s going to stop,” said Chief Fandal.
Operation Heat Wave is still ongoing. You can call Slidell Police or Crimestoppers with any tips on drug sales and you can remain anonymous.
Chief Fandal highlighted some of the cases they included:
- The largest fentanyl seizure in St Tammany's history 11.5 kilos of fentanyl, with an estimated street value of $300,000. This arrest led to a federal indictment.
- Two arrests of regional drug suppliers who were selling large amounts of fentanyl and heroin. They were responsible for distributing fentanyl daily to the people of North Shore and in the New Orleans metro area.
- Second-degree murder indictment of fentanyl dealer. 44-year-old Rodney Reynolds Jr of Slidell
- 19 guns recovered - (Most of which were stolen and used in violent crimes. Some semi-automatic Glock handguns were turned into fully automatic handguns by utilizing an illegal “Glock Switch”)
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