FBI New Orleans Special Agent in Charge Lyonel Myrthil, U.S. Attorney Brandon B. Brown of the Western District of Louisiana, and eight state and local law enforcement agencies announce the results of the latest collaborative effort to battle violent crime in the Shreveport/Bossier City area. The Violent Gun Reduction Interdiction Program (VGRIP) is sponsored by the Department of Justice’s Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Forces, or OCDETF. OCDETF investigates and prosecutes major drug trafficking, money laundering, and other high-priority transnational organized crime networks.

OCDETF leverages the resources and expertise of its member agencies including the FBI, along with state and local law enforcement in long-term initiatives like VGRIP. “VGRIP is a planned, cycle of enforcement activity with directed patrols, probation and parole sweeps, and more,” said FBI New Orleans Special Agent in Charge Lyonel Myrthil. OCDETF provides the money to pay overtime to participating state and local agencies.

The first round of VGRIP activity began in July, August, and September of 2021 and ended with:

• 114 arrests
• 13 firearms seized
• Various narcotics seized

Round two occurred September 8th and 21st of 2023 and resulted in:

• 30 arrests
• 9 firearms seized
• Various narcotics seized

The latest round of enforcement activity occurred most recently over seven days in May and June and ended with:

• 61 arrests
• 17 firearms seized
• Various narcotics seized

Combined, more than 200 violent offenders have been arrested with 39 guns seized and multiple amounts and types of illegal drugs taken out of commerce. “Every single action taken by our partners is an ongoing effort to dismantle violent enterprises and reclaim our communities,” said Myrthil.

SAC Myrthil stressed that VGRIP operations are part of a long-term, methodical effort to make the citizens of North Louisiana feel safe again. “We are here for the long haul,” said Myrthil. “To members of the community who continue to support our efforts, we say thank you. We are here. We are listening, and we care,” said Myrthil. Myrthil encourages the public to report issues impacting their neighborhoods to local law enforcement, or 1-800-CALL-FBI.

“The results of VGRIP efforts speak for themselves,” said U.S. Attorney Brandon B. Brown. “Partnership is key and when you look at the statistics, this is a huge win for our community. This program has been successful because of the outstanding collaboration between these law enforcement agencies and their dedication to reducing the number of violent offenders and holding those accountable who illegally possess firearms in this district. Thwarting the conduct of violent crime organizations requires collaborative investigations. We look forward to continuing these partnerships and the hard work needed to make our communities a safer place to live and raise our families.”

The list of agencies participating in this latest iteration of VGRIP is as follows:FBI New Orleans

• FBI New Orleans
• United States Attorney’s Office for the Western District of Louisiana
• Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives (ATF)
• United States Marshals Service
• Louisiana Division of Probation and Parole
• Bossier Parish Sheriff’s Office
• Bossier City Police Department
• Caddo Parish Sheriff’s Office
• DeSoto Parish Sheriff’s Office
• Shreveport Police Department

*Louisiana State Police was involved in the September 2023 VGRIP enforcement.