A New Orleans resident has been indicted on federal charges related to the importation and distribution of a controlled substance. According to an announcement from U.S. Attorney David I Courcelle, Marquel Horton, 41, was indicted by a federal grand jury on February 6, 2026.
Horton faces two counts under the Federal Controlled Substances Act. The first count alleges conspiracy to import tapentadol, a Schedule II-controlled substance, into the United States from India. The second count charges conspiracy to distribute and possess with intent to distribute tapentadol in the greater New Orleans area.
The indictment states that Horton worked with others both in Louisiana and India prior to June 3, 2022, continuing up until the date of indictment. Authorities allege that after importing tapentadol from India, Horton conspired with additional individuals to distribute it locally.
If convicted on either count, Horton could face up to twenty years in prison per count, fines of up to $1 million per count, at least three years of supervised release for each offense, and a mandatory special assessment fee of $100 per count.
U.S. Attorney Courcelle commended several agencies for their involvement in the investigation: “Homeland Security, U.S. Customs and Border Control, Louisiana State Police, and the New Orleans Police Department.” Assistant United States Attorney Stuart Theriot of the Narcotics Unit is leading the prosecution.
The charges contained in an indictment are only allegations. A defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.
