MINNEAPOLIS, MN – Andre Garner, 42, is headed to federal prison for a decade after authorities uncovered a significant fentanyl operation out of his South Minneapolis home. Garner was sentenced to 120 months in prison followed by five years of supervised release after pleading guilty to possession with intent to distribute fentanyl. The bust, a joint effort between the Hennepin County Sheriff’s Office, the Hennepin County Violent Offender Task Force, and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF), ripped open a pipeline feeding the city’s deadly opioid crisis.
On January 24, 2023, law enforcement descended on Garner’s residence, executing a search warrant that revealed a staggering amount of narcotics. Inside a van registered to Garner, agents found nearly 800 grams of pure fentanyl – enough to kill hundreds, if not thousands. But the haul didn’t stop there. Over 1,000 grams of cocaine were also seized, alongside two firearms and a hefty $9,400 in cash, all allegedly belonging to Garner. He admitted ownership of the money and the van as part of his guilty plea, effectively sealing his fate.
U.S. Attorney Andrew M. Luger’s office announced the sentencing, stating that Garner pleaded guilty on December 18, 2023, to the single count of fentanyl possession with intent to distribute. Judge Jerry W. Blackwell handed down the 10-year sentence in U.S. District Court today, a penalty reflecting the severity of the crime and the ongoing damage caused by fentanyl. The investigation highlights the relentless flow of deadly narcotics into the Twin Cities and the dedication of law enforcement to disrupting these networks.
The scale of Garner’s operation points to a sophisticated trafficking network, raising questions about his suppliers and the ultimate destination of the drugs. While Garner is behind bars, investigators are likely continuing to probe the wider organization, aiming to dismantle the entire chain. The recovery of firearms alongside the narcotics also underscores the dangerous connection between drug trafficking and gun violence, a persistent problem plaguing Minneapolis.
Assistant U.S. Attorneys Hillary A. Taylor and William C. Mattessich spearheaded the prosecution, building a solid case based on the evidence seized during the raid and Garner’s own admission of ownership. The ATF’s St. Paul Field Division played a crucial role in the investigation, utilizing their expertise in firearms and explosives tracing to potentially link Garner to other criminal activities. This case serves as a stark reminder of the devastating consequences of fentanyl trafficking and the tireless efforts of law enforcement to combat it.
The 10-year sentence, while significant, is unlikely to stem the tide of fentanyl flooding Minneapolis streets. Experts warn that the drug supply remains readily available, and new traffickers are constantly emerging to fill the void. The Grimy Times will continue to follow this story and expose the individuals and networks responsible for bringing this poison into our communities.
Key Facts
- Agency: ATF
- Category: Drug Trafficking|Violent Crime|Weapons
- Source: Official Press Release
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