Andre Bell, age 38, a resident of New Orleans, pled guilty on April 1 before United States District Judge Greg G. Guidry to conspiracy to distribute heroin and fentanyl, two counts of distribution of heroin and fentanyl, and being a felon in possession of a firearm, according to an April 6 announcement by U.S. Attorney David I. Courcelle.
The case is significant as it involves the trafficking of dangerous narcotics and firearms in the New Orleans area. Authorities say such crimes pose serious risks to public safety.
According to court documents, Special Agents from the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms identified a co-conspirator involved in narcotics and firearms trafficking who made three controlled purchases from him. On each occasion, Bell supplied the narcotics and firearms that were then sold by the co-conspirator to individuals believed by law enforcement agents to be legitimate buyers.
On August 3, 2023, Bell provided 14.07 grams of heroin and fentanyl during a transaction arranged by his co-conspirator. Five days later on August 8, Bell delivered half an ounce of fentanyl for another sale involving cocaine as well. On August 11, authorities report that Bell supplied a “ghost gun”—a non-serialized firearm—used in another controlled purchase arranged by his associate.
Bell faces up to twenty years imprisonment for each conspiracy and distribution count along with fines up to $1 million per count; he also faces up to fifteen years imprisonment for being a felon in possession of a firearm with additional fines possible.
The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives investigated this case while Assistant United States Attorney André Jones is prosecuting it through the Narcotics Unit. The prosecution falls under Operation Take Back America—a Department of Justice initiative aimed at eliminating cartels and transnational criminal organizations through programs such as Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Forces (OCDETF) and Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN).
Operation Take Back America seeks not only prosecution but also coordination among agencies nationwide focused on reducing violent crime related to drug trafficking.
