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The Bogalusa City Council meeting on Tuesday featured a special update from District Attorney Collin Sims, who provided details on the ongoing crackdown on violent crime and drug trafficking in the area.

Sims, recently elected as district attorney, addressed the council and community about the progress of a multi-agency operation targeting a significant drug trafficking organization (DTO) in Bogalusa. Seven of 20 suspects were arrested on Tuesday, with more arrests anticipated in the coming days.

“There was a large drug trafficking organization operating in this area, and today, seven individuals were arrested as part of this ongoing investigation,” Sims said. “This is part of a broader effort involving local, state, and federal agencies to address violent crime and drug-related offenses in the community.”

A Proactive Strategy

Sims highlighted the shift from reactive law enforcement to a proactive strategy developed in collaboration with the Louisiana State Police, the Washington Parish Sheriff’s Office, and the Bogalusa Police. The approach has led to dozens of indictments and convictions in recent years.

“This community has suffered unacceptable levels of violent crime,” Sims said. “Kids being shot at bus stops, games disrupted by gunfire, and families grieving in my office — it’s clear that we needed a different approach.”

The district attorney pointed to recent successes, including numerous murder and rape prosecutions, as evidence of the strategy’s effectiveness.

Community Concerns Addressed

While Sims acknowledged the community’s concern over the recent arrest of Mayor Tyrin Truong, he stressed that the investigation is broader than any single individual.

“This is not about one person. This is about evidence leading to arrests, search warrants, and ultimately ensuring the safety of this community,” Sims said. “My job as district attorney is to prosecute based on evidence, and that’s exactly what we’re doing.”

He also assured residents that law enforcement agencies are committed to making Bogalusa safer. “You deserve better than this,” Sims said. “The promise I made during the election was to focus on Bogalusa and to show this community has not been forgotten.”

Looking Forward

The investigation, which involves multiple agencies, including the Louisiana Bureau of Investigation and the Louisiana Department of Environmental Quality, is expected to arrest at least 20 individuals related to the DTO.

Sims concluded by thanking the community for its patience and support and reminding attendees that he could not answer specific questions about the ongoing investigation.