Andre Bell, a 38-year-old resident of New Orleans, pled guilty on April 1 before United States District Judge Greg G. Guidry to charges related to conspiracy and distribution of heroin and fentanyl, as well as being a felon in possession of a firearm, according to U.S. Attorney David I. Courcelle.
The case highlights ongoing efforts by federal authorities to address the distribution of dangerous narcotics and illegal firearms in local communities.
Court documents show that Special Agents from the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives identified a co-conspirator involved in trafficking narcotics and firearms. The agents conducted three controlled purchases from this individual, with Bell supplying the drugs and firearms sold during these transactions.
On August 3, 2023, Bell delivered over fourteen grams of heroin and fentanyl for sale. Five days later, he provided half an ounce of fentanyl during another controlled purchase involving cocaine. On August 11, Bell supplied a “ghost gun,” which lacks serial numbers making it difficult to trace.
For the conspiracy and distribution counts, Bell faces up to twenty years in prison for each count along with fines up to $1 million and at least three years supervised release per count. For being a felon in possession of a firearm, he faces up to fifteen years imprisonment with additional fines up to $250,000.
The investigation was conducted by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives. Assistant United States Attorney André Jones is prosecuting the case as part of Operation Take Back America—a Department of Justice initiative targeting cartels and violent crime through coordinated efforts such as Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Forces (OCDETF) and Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN).
This prosecution is one component within broader federal initiatives aimed at curbing illegal drug trade and reducing violence associated with organized criminal activity.
