Published: 01-28-2026 | Category: Troop L
Hammond - On January 27, 2026, Louisiana State Police Troopers and Criminal Investigators assigned to the Louisiana State Police Narcotics / Violent Crime Task Force, along with personnel from Troop L and Special Agents with the Federal Bureau of Investigation, participated in a joint narcotics investigation in Tangipahoa Parish targeting members of a Drug Trafficking Organization (DTO) involved in the interstate distribution of cocaine.
As part of this investigation, law enforcement executed multiple state search warrants in the Hammond area. These coordinated enforcement actions resulted in the seizure of approximately twenty (20) kilograms of cocaine, valued at an estimated street value of $1,500,000.00 one Glock handgun, and approximately $7,150.00 in United States currency.
As a result of the investigation, three individuals were arrested and booked into the Tangipahoa Parish Jail on state narcotics and firearms violations:
• 19-year-old Jorge Lira of San Juan, Texas
o Possession with Intent to Distribute of Schedule II CDS (Cocaine)
o Conspiracy to Distribute a Schedule II CDS (Cocaine)
• 38-year-old Eliberto Guajardo of San Juan, Texas
o Possession with Intent to Distribute of Schedule II CDS (Cocaine)
o Conspiracy to Distribute a Schedule II CDS (Cocaine)
• 44-year-old Brice Strain, Jr. of Tomball, Texas
o Possession of a Firearm in the Presence of a CDS (Cocaine)
o Possession with Intent to Distribute of Schedule II CDS (Cocaine)
o Conspiracy to Distribute a Schedule II CDS (Cocaine)
This investigation highlights the continued collaboration among local, state, and federal law enforcement agencies in disrupting large-scale drug trafficking operations that threaten the safety of Louisiana communities.
The Louisiana State Police Narcotics / Violent Crime Task Force is comprised of Louisiana State Police Troopers and Criminal Investigators, along with law enforcement personnel from the Saint Tammany Parish Sheriff’s Office, the Tangipahoa Parish Sheriff’s Office, the Washington Parish Sheriff’s Office, the Hammond Police Department, the 22nd Judicial District Attorney’s Office, the United States Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA), and Homeland Security Investigations (HSI).
The Louisiana State Police remains the lead investigative agency in this ongoing case. Additional arrests are possible as the investigation continues.
The Louisiana State Police urges anyone with information related to illegal narcotics activity to report it through the secure online reporting system at www.lsp.org or by contacting the Louisiana State Police Fusion Center Hotline at 1-800-434-8007.
Contact Information:
Trooper Marc Gremillion
Louisiana State Police
Public Affairs Section – Troop L
Phone: (985) 302-9272
[email protected]