Operation Sleigh Ride: Battling Organized Retail Crime in Baton Rouge
Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) Baton Rouge, in collaboration with local law enforcement agencies, has launched Operation Sleigh Ride, a targeted law enforcement operation aimed at combating organized retail crime in major shopping centers in the Baton Rouge metropolitan area. The operation, which began on November 22, will increase law enforcement presence in key shopping areas during the holiday season, starting from Black Friday. This initiative has garnered support from various law enforcement agencies, including the Ascension Parish Sheriff’s Office, the Livingston Parish Sheriff’s Office, the Gonzales Police Department, the East Baton Rouge Sheriff’s Office, the Baton Rouge Police Department, and the U.S. attorney for the Middle District of Louisiana. Operation Sleigh Ride is being conducted under the joint auspices of the Louisiana, Alabama, Mississippi, and Arkansas Organized Retail Crime Alliance and the HSI-led Louisiana Organized Retail Crime Task Force.
The primary goal of Operation Sleigh Ride is deterrence and apprehension of individuals involved in organized retail crime. Assistant Special Agent in Charge Adam Parks emphasized the detrimental impacts of retail crime, highlighting the loss of tax revenue, threats to public safety, increased consumer prices, and job losses. Organized retail crime is a pervasive issue that affects communities nationwide, with high-profile incidents such as „smash-and-grab“ robberies making headlines. These criminal activities, which often involve transnational criminal organizations, result in nearly $70 billion in illicit proceeds annually, posing significant financial and public safety risks.
In response to the escalating threat of organized retail crime, HSI New Orleans introduced a multistate collaboration in July 2023 to target domestic and transnational criminal organizations profiting from these illegal activities. The Organized Retail Crime Alliance aims to enhance coordination among law enforcement agencies, prosecutors, and industry partners from Louisiana, Mississippi, Arkansas, and Alabama. A joint report released in 2021 by the Retail Industry Leaders Association and the Buy Safe America Coalition revealed that criminals stole nearly $70 billion worth of goods from retailers in 2019, underscoring the urgent need for concerted action against organized theft groups.
HSI’s efforts to combat organized retail crime have yielded significant results, with a notable increase in investigations and arrests in fiscal year 2021. The agency initiated 59 organized retail crime investigations, leading to 61 criminal arrests, 55 indictments, and the seizure of $9,287,757 in assets. Criminals often exploit e-commerce platforms to sell stolen merchandise, contributing to the estimated $125.7 billion in lost economic activity attributed to organized retail crime. HSI’s partnerships with industry groups such as the Coalition of Law Enforcement and Retail, the National Retail Federation, and the Retail Industry Leaders Association play a crucial role in disrupting organized theft groups and safeguarding interstate and foreign commerce.
As the principal investigative arm of the Department of Homeland Security, HSI is dedicated to combating transnational crime and threats that exploit global trade, travel, and finance networks. With a workforce of over 8,700 employees, including more than 6,000 special agents deployed across the United States and overseas, HSI maintains a robust international presence to address complex criminal activities. Operation Sleigh Ride exemplifies HSI’s commitment to safeguarding communities, businesses, and consumers from the scourge of organized retail crime, underscoring the agency’s vital role in protecting national security and economic interests.