Six From Louisiana Indicted for Narcotics Trafficking Conspiracy in Connection with 110 Pounds of Cocaine and Fentanyl

New Orleans, Louisiana – On September 22, 2022, a federal grand jury in Louisiana indicted Charles Wade, a/k/a “Poosie,” age 41, David Hester, a/k/a “Goon,” age 33, Brison Shelton, age 48, William Lang, age 44, Alfred Clay, age 58, and Saul Macedo-Rodriguez, age 36 for violations of the Federal Controlled Substances Act.

During the investigation, the federal Drug Enforcement Administration seized over forty-one kilograms (90.6 lbs.) of cocaine hydrochloride, ten kilograms (22 lbs.) of fentanyl, and over four hundred thousand dollars ($400,000.00) in bulk cash.

According to court documents, Wade and Lang were charged with conspiracy to distribute and possess with the intent to distribute five (5) kilograms more of cocaine hydrochloride, one (1) kilogram or more of a mixture and substance containing a detectable amount of heroin, and four hundred (400) grams or more of mixture and substance containing a detectable amount of fentanyl, in violation of Title 21, United States Code, Section 841(a)(1), 841 (b)(1)(A), and Section 846.

Hester, Clay, and Macedo-Rodriguez were charged with conspiracy to distribute and possess with the intent to distribute and possession with the intent to distribute five (5) kilograms or more of cocaine hydrochloride, in violation of Title 21, United States Code, Section 841(a)(1), 841(b)(1)(A), and Section 846.

Shelton is charged with conspiracy to distribute and possess with the intent to distribute and possession with the intent to distribute five hundred (500) grams or more of cocaine hydrochloride, in violation of Title 21, United States Code, Section 841(a)(1), 841(b)(1)(B), and Section 846.

Wade, Hester, Lang, Clay, and Macedo-Rodriguez face a mandatory minimum of 10 years in prison and a maximum of life in prison, a fine of up to $10,000,000.00, and at least 5 years of supervised release following any term of incarceration if convicted. Shelton faces a mandatory minimum of 5 years in jail and a maximum of 40 years in prison, a fine of up to $5,000,000.00, and at least 4 years of supervised release after any period of imprisonment. The defendants must also pay a $100 special assessment fee for each count on which they are charged.

U.S. Attorney Duane A. Evans reiterated that the indictment is merely a charging document and that the guilt of the defendants must be proven beyond a reasonable doubt.

This case is part of the Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Force’s broad investigation (OCDETF). The Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Force (OCDETF) is the nation’s primary tool for disrupting and dismantling major drug trafficking organizations, targeting national and regional level drug trafficking organizations, and coordinating the necessary law enforcement entities and resources to disrupt or dismantle the targeted criminal organization and seize their assets.

The Drug Enforcement Administration – New Orleans Field Division Office led the investigation, which was assisted by the Federal Bureau of Investigation, the United States Border Patrol, the Gretna Major Crimes Task Force, the Kenner Police Department, the Jefferson Parish Sheriff’s Office, the St. John’s Parish Sheriff’s Office, the New Orleans Sheriff’s Office, and the New Orleans Police Department. Assistant United States Attorney Christopher Usher is in charge of the prosecution in this case.