The mayor of a Louisiana city has been arrested on charges of aiding in the distribution of illegal drugs, including opioids, high-grade marijuana, THC products, and MDMA, authorities announced.
Tyrin Truong, the 25-year-old mayor of Bogalusa, faces charges of conducting financial transactions with drug proceeds, unauthorized use of another person’s property (classified as a “movable” under Louisiana law), and soliciting prostitutes, Louisiana State Police reported Tuesday.
“We have zero tolerance for misconduct, particularly from public officials,” stated Louisiana Attorney General Liz Murrill in a press release.
A report indicated how Truong and six other Bogalusa residents were targeted by search and arrest warrants following a months-long investigation conducted by the Louisiana State Police Narcotics/Violent Crime Task Force. The probe focused on dismantling a suspected drug trafficking organization in Bogalusa, a city of approximately 10,000 residents, according to U.S. Census data.
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Launched in April 2024, the investigation uncovered the use of social media platforms to distribute illegal drugs and handle payments, police said. Additionally, authorities revealed that profits from drug sales were used to purchase firearms, some of which were distributed to individuals prohibited from possessing them, while others were tied to violent crimes in the area.
“We remain committed to investing time and resources to protect the citizens of Bogalusa. Our work is far from over,” said District Attorney Collin Sims.
All seven individuals accused of involvement in the drug trafficking operation, including Truong, are currently detained in Washington Parish Jail, according to inmate records. The six other suspects face charges related to drug distribution and transactions, police noted.
Truong’s bond has been set at $150,000. Following his arrest, the mayor posted a message on Facebook stating, “Joy comes in the morning!”
Truong, a Democrat, was elected mayor of Bogalusa in 2022, securing 56% of the vote and defeating incumbent Wendy O’Quin Perrette, who garnered just 19%, according to the New Orleans Advocate.
During his tenure, Truong advocated for increased police presence, which some attributed to a decline in Bogalusa’s crime rates. In March 2024, Interim Acting Police Chief Troy Tervalon told the Advocate, “We feel like violent crime as a whole is down. We’ve changed some things up.”
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