The NOPD today arrested Paulina Briones (Hispanic female, DOB: 05-12-1965) on narcotics related charges in connection with an incident in the 6700 block of Bellaire Avenue.

At about 12:45 p.m., a uniformed NOPD Third District officer arrived at a residence in the block and entered the premises in response to a non-police issue. While inside of the residence, which is one half of a double occupancy house, the officer observed the female next-door neighbor of the residence – later identified as Briones – relocate to the back yard of the residence and hide multiple pounds of marijuana in a storage bin. Upon seeing the occurrence, the officer immediately called for assistance. Once additional officers arrived, Briones was taken into custody.

After being advised of her Miranda rights, Briones advised officers she believed her home was being raided and attempted to hide the illegal narcotics. After obtaining an arrest warrant and conducting a subsequent search of Briones’ residence, officers located distributable amounts of marijuana, non-distributable amounts of acid tabs, mushrooms, Xanax and MDMA. Officers also found a firearm that was reported to have been stolen and found large amounts of U.S. currency.

Briones was arrested and booked into the Orleans Parish Justice Center on charges of three counts of illegal possession of a Schedule I CDS; and one count each of illegal possession of a Schedule II CDS, illegal possession of a Schedule IV CDS, illegal possession of a stolen firearm and illegal possession of a firearm while in possession of a CDS.

All persons are presumed innocent until proven guilty.

Anyone with additional information on this incident is urged to contact NOPD Third District detectives at 504-658-6030.