The arrests earlier this week of twenty-three persons involved in cocaine distribution in and around Bogalusa highlights the importance of law enforcement partnerships which have been developed by the Washington Parish Sheriff’s Office.

 Washington Parish Sheriff Randy Seal has reached out to federal and state law enforcement agencies to combine resources in the constant effort to combat drug trafficking in the parish.    The Washington Parish Drug Task Force, comprised of Sheriff’s Office detectives and officers from the Bogalusa and Franklinton Police Departments, has been an effective tool in combating the drug trade.  By combining resources with the Drug Enforcement Administration, the Louisiana State Police and other agencies, Sheriff Seal has been able to expand the fight against drugs to a new level.

 Sheriff Seal commented, “Col. Mike Edmondson, Superintendent of the Louisiana State Police, and Keith Brown, Special Agent in Charge, Drug Enforcement Administration, New Orleans Field Division, have been generous in funneling their resources and manpower into our parish to help us battle drug dealers.  Working with them and the Bogalusa Police Department, we were able to take some major drug dealers out of our neighborhoods and put them in jail where they belong.  This was a lengthy investigation which would not have been possible without the resources provided to us by federal and state law enforcement agencies.    The investigation is not over.  We will continue to work with our partner agencies to identify and arrest anyone who is involved in the drug trade in Washington Parish.  Are more arrests forthcoming?  Absolutely!”

 Sheriff Seal pledged that the Sheriff’s Office will continue to be aggressive in its fight against all types of crime in the parish.  The Sheriff’s Office is an active participant in the Louisiana State Police Drug Task Force and recently joined the United States Secret Service Task Force to expand the ability to investigate and solve currency crimes which occur in Washington Parish.