Mayor arrested in drug trafficking sting alongside six others

Saturday, January 11, 2025 - Bogalusa, Louisiana mayor Tyrin Truong is caught in the web of a drug trafficking investigation.

The 25-year-old city leader has been arrested in connection to the situation, Louisiana state police reported.

According to the Louisiana State Police Narcotics/Violent Crime Task Force’s report, law enforcement began their “comprehensive investigation” in April 2024 and went on for several months.

Truong, along with six other members of this unnamed Drug Trafficking Organization, were directly involved “in the distribution of various Controlled Dangerous Substances (CDS), including opioids, high-grade marijuana, THC products, and MDMA” in the state of Louisiana. For context, the Louisiana Department of Health reported that Louisiana had 2,456 drug-involved deaths in 2023 alone.

“Investigators uncovered that members of the DTO were utilizing social media platforms to distribute CDS and manage payments, further expanding their reach and criminal activity,” the official report claimed.

“The investigation also determined that profits from drug sales were used to purchase firearms. Some of these firearms were funnelled to individuals prohibited from legal possession, while others were linked to violent crimes in the Bogalusa area.”

As a result, Truong, who became the city’s youngest mayor in 2022 at 22 years old, was issued an arrest warrant and later detained.

The politician now faces “charges of transactions involving proceeds from drug offences, unauthorized use of a moveable, and soliciting for prostitutes.”

Six other people were also arrested and face a litany of charges, including cash transactions involving drug offences and conspiracy.

All seven people were booked at the Washington Parish Jail but Bogalusa Mayor Tyrin Truong has since met bail and is out on a $150k bond, per WWLTV.

Louisiana Attorney General Liz Murrill issued a statement regarding Truong’s arrest, saying, “We have zero tolerance for wrongdoing, especially, from public officials.”

While District Attorney Collin Sims asserted that they weren’t “finished” with this case, swearing to “invest time and resources into helping the citizens of Bogalusa.”

As of Thursday (Jan. 9), mayor Tyrin Truong has only issued one comment regarding his arrest, which comes as a Facebook post to his supporters.

Featuring a Black and white photo of himself, Truong typed, “Joy comes in the morning,” with no further explanation.