Local law enforcement agencies arrested a suspected drug dealer Monday, leading to the confiscation of 368 grams of cocaine and more than 9,000 fentanyl and ketamine pills.
The Orleans Parish Sheriff’s Office announced the bust, made by the Regional Major Crimes Task Force, Thursday morning.
Thai Vu, 44, had been under surveillance as part of a five-month investigation when he was arrested at Dauphine and Canal streets, allegedly holding “substantial quantity of illegal narcotics and $8,665 in cash,” the sheriff’s office said.
Authorities belived Vu was “operating a significant narcotics distribution network,” and investigators searched multiple addresses in the New Orleans area and siezed narcotics including 368 grams of cocaine, 6,030 fentanyl pills, 3,022 grams of ketamine, the sheriff’s office said.
Investigators also found “evidence confirming his involvement in a major drug trafficking enterprise,” though the sheriff’s office did not provide any specifics.
Vu was booked into the Orleans Justice Center and faces multiple charges including possession with intent to distribution cocaine, fentanyl, MDMA, marijuana and other controlled substances, according to the sheriff’s office..
Regional Major Crimes Task Force investigation the Orleans Parish Sheriff’s Office, the Jefferson Parish Sheriff’s Office and the Gretna and Kenner police departments.
Orleans Parish Sheriff Susan Hutson said in a news release that the bust demonstrates the effectiveness of collaborative law enforcement and “underscores our unwavering commitment to reducing the flow of illegal narcotics into the New Orleans area and holding those responsible accountable.”
