LDWF Agents Wrapped Up Patrols in New Orleans for Mardi Gras

Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries (LDWF) enforcement agents finished assisting Louisiana State Police (LSP) and New Orleans Police Department with Mardi Gras patrols in the French Quarter area of New Orleans.

LDWF agents provided these patrols to assist with crowd control, enforcement and public safety from Feb. 9 to Feb. 14, which included 17 LDWF agents and two LDWF biologists per day, resulting in a total of 1,240 man-hours worked.

“It’s great to see true teamwork with Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries, Louisiana State Police, and New Orleans Police Department working to make the city of New Orleans safe,” said Governor Jeff Landry.

Agents were specifically on the lookout for illegally possessed animals in the French Quarter area for the safety of the residents and tourists in the city.  LDWF agents wrote citations for the illegal possession of five snakes and one opossum.  Agents also cited a person for selling turtles without a reptile retail dealer’s license.

LDWF agents along with LDWF biologists seized a 14.5-foot reticulated python, a 10-foot reticulated python, a 3-foot ball python, and an opossum.

In addition to this, LDWF agents assisted LSP with making 76 arrests on illegal weapons and drug charges and helped LSP seize 57 illegal guns, two stolen motorcycles, and illegal drugs from the streets. Furthermore, LDWF agents worked with LSP in securing crime scenes, arresting a pickpocket thief, and breaking up numerous fights that occurred on Bourbon Street.

State charges for the illegal possession of the snakes and the possum bring up to a $500 fine and 90 days in jail.  Selling turtles without a reptile dealer’s license also carries up to a $500 fine and 90 days in jail.

“I’m extremely proud of the work our agents did in helping keep the French Quarter area of New Orleans more secure this past weekend,” said Col. Rachel Zechenelly.  “These agents worked throughout the night helping take illegal weapons off the street and also worked with our biologists to seize illegal animals in the area.”