LAFAYETTE – On January 21, 2025, a federal grand jury in Lafayette, Louisiana returned a 12-count indictment charging eleven alleged members of a Drug Trafficking Organization (DTO) for conspiring to possess with intent to distribute large quantities of fentanyl, methamphetamine, and cocaine in the Western District of Louisiana. On January 29, 2026, all eleven defendants were taken into custody by federal, state, and local law enforcement officials.
“Drug traffickers working with transnational criminal organizations like the Gulf Cartel endanger urban and rural communities alike, and this case shows that rural communities like Vernon Parish will not tolerate these groups peddling the poisons of fentanyl, meth, and other hard drugs in their community,” said United States Attorney Zachary A. Keller. “This case shows our Office’s commitment alongside our federal and state partners to disrupt these groups attempting to gain a foothold in our District’s many rural communities, and we will remain vigilant in identifying and prosecuting the criminals who would push these drugs into the lives of our District’s citizens.”
The investigation began when FBI New Orleans, Alexandria RA, opened an investigation into a neighborhood-based gang in early 2025. The local gang is alleged to import large amounts of illegal drugs from Gulf Cartel sources of supply in Mexico. During the first week of November, FBI seized approximately 25 pounds of methamphetamine, one kilogram of cocaine, 2,000 fentanyl pills, one pill press, $125,000 in U.S. currency, $28,000 in gold bars, and other contraband.
According to the indictment, beginning at a time unknown but from at least on or about July 11, 2024, to November 2, 2025, the defendants intentionally conspired with each other to unlawfully possess with the intent to distribute 50 grams or more of methamphetamine, or 500 grams or more of a mixture or substance containing a detectable amount of methamphetamine. The indictment also alleges seven of the defendants conspired with each other to unlawfully possess with the intent to distribute cocaine. Six alleged DTO members face separated possession with the intent to distribute controlled substances charges including one count of possession with the intent to distribute fentanyl. The indictment also charges two individuals with the Illegal Use of a Communication Facility to further a Drug Transaction in violation of Title 21, United States Code, Section 843(b).
This case is being investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI); Louisiana State Police (LSP); Sabine Parish Sheriff’s Office (SPSO); and Vernon Parish Sheriff’s Office (VPSO). Assistant United States Attorney LaDonte A. Murphy and Legal Assistant Christy Angelle are prosecuting this case on behalf of the government.
This operation is part of the Homeland Security Task Force (HSTF) initiative established by Executive Order 14159, Protecting the American People Against Invasion. The HSTF is a whole-of-government partnership dedicated to eliminating criminal cartels, foreign gangs, transnational criminal organizations, human smuggling and trafficking rings operating in the United States and abroad. Through historic interagency collaboration, the HSTF directs the full might of United States law enforcement towards identifying, investigating, and prosecuting the full spectrum of crimes committed by these organizations, which have long fueled violence and instability within our borders. In performing this work, the HSTF places special emphasis on investigating and prosecuting those engaged in drug trafficking. The HSTF further utilizes all available tools to prosecute and remove the most violent criminal aliens from the United States.
The charges and allegations in the indictment are merely accusations, and the defendants are presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.
You may find a copy of this press release (and any updates) on the website of the United States Attorney’s Office for the Western District of Louisiana at www.justice.gov/usao-wdla .
Related court documents and information may be found on the website of the District Court for the Western District of Louisiana at www.lawd.uscourts.gov or at https://www.lawd.uscourts.gov/cmecf-pacer , under Case Number 24-CR-00249.
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Public Affairs
United States Attorney’s Office
Western District of Louisiana
USALAW-News@usdoj.gov
www.justice.gov/usao-wdla
Twitter @USAO_WDLA
Source: U.S. Attorney’s Office — Western District of Louisiana — U.S. Department of Justice press release.