February 11, 2010
Contact: Special Agent Roberto Bryan
Number: (504) 840-1360
Three Men in Ecstasy Conspiracy
FEB 11  -- 
NEW ORLEANS ,
 LOUISIANA -MINH TRAN , age 24, a resident of New Orleans, Louisiana,
 LIONELL ADAMS , age 24, a resident of Laplace, Louisiana, and
 JOSEPH SANDERS , age 30, a resident of Jackson, Mississippi, were charged in a two-count indictment by a Federal Grand Jury for a drug trafficking conspiracy involving ecstasy and possession with intent to distribute ecstasy, announced U. S. Attorney Jim Letten.
According to the indictment, agents with the Drug Enforcement Administration used a confidential source to order 1,000 ecstasy tablets from
 ADAMS . On February 1, 2010, the confidential source met with the three defendants in the parking lot of the Lakeside Shopping Center in Metairie, Louisiana. After a brief meeting during which the defendants negotiated a price with the confidential source, agents moved in and arrested
 TRAN ,
 SANDERS , and
 ADAMS.  During a subsequent search of the defendants' vehicle, agents discovered approximately 939 tablets of ecstasy.
If convicted, the defendants face a possible maximum sentence of twenty (20) years imprisonment, a $1 million fine, and at least three (3) years of supervised release as to each count.
U. S. Attorney Letten reiterated that the indictment/bill of information/complaint) is merely a charge and that the guilt of the defendant must be proven beyond a reasonable doubt.
The case was investigated by Special Agents with the Drug Enforcement Administration. It is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Kevin G. Boitmann.