NOPD Announces Crackdown on Illegal Oyster Dealing

Standing behind a table covered in seized oysters, weapons, and assorted shucking paraphernalia, Acting Police Superintendent Warren Riley today announced a new enforcement strategy to crack down on the illegal trafficking and sale of oysters.

The plan, dubbed Operation Half-Shell, will target enforcement in some of the open-air illegal oyster markets that have sprung up around the city.

Since Hurricane Katrina devastated the oyster beds and boats that harvest them, supply for oysters has been unable to keep up with demand. For a desperate, seafood-starved populace, this has created a vibrant and dangerous black market in oysters all across the city.

A dozen unshucked oysters—known on the street as a dime bag—now goes for $10.

And Thanksgiving has only exacerbated the problem. With so many families craving the comfort of oyster dressing this holiday, incidents of oyster-related violence have increased dramatically.

Last week, three elderly ladies were booked for possession with intent to sell and assault in the 1300 block of Arabella Street after a turf war in the in the parking lot of Langenstein’s turned violent.

“These seizures are just the beginning,” Riley promised. “We want to send a message to all the illegal oyster dealers that this police department will not rest until the City of New Orleans is an illegal-oyster-free zone.”