Lazandy Daniels, Cocaine Trafficking, Louisiana 2017

In a major blow to the streets of New Orleans, a federal jury has convicted Lazandy Daniels, 40, of the St. Roch neighborhood, of his role in distributing kilograms of cocaine in the New Orleans area.

According to the evidence presented at trial, Daniels was part of a cocaine trafficking conspiracy that brought in up to 30 kilograms of the drug per month from Houston to New Orleans. The operation, which spanned from 2014 to 2015, involved hiding the cocaine in the door panels of used cars, loading them onto a flatbed truck, and driving it from Houston to a salvage yard in New Orleans East.

Once at the salvage yard, Daniels and others would assist in unloading the drugs, distributing them to local kilogram-level dealers, and then collecting the proceeds to purchase more cocaine for resale. The evidence further showed that Daniels sold quantities of crack and powder cocaine from a home near the intersection of North Derbigny Street and Mandeville Street in the St. Roch neighborhood.

The operation came to an end on December 2, 2015, when Daniels and his co-defendant, Craig James, were arrested at the Super 8 Hotel on Chef Menteur Highway in New Orleans East. At the time of the arrest, the men were in possession of 164 grams of crack cocaine, numerous items used to weigh and package cocaine, and almost $300,000 in cash drug proceeds.

Because Daniels has a prior felony drug conviction, he faces a mandatory minimum sentence of 20 years in prison, a maximum life sentence, a possible fine of $20,000,000, and a supervised release period of at least 10 years. Sentencing is scheduled for September 14, 2017, before Judge Jane Triche Milazzo.

Daniels’ co-defendants, Craig James and Leon Jackson, Jr., have both previously pled guilty to conspiracy to distribute 5 kilograms or more of a mixture containing cocaine hydrochloride and 28 grams or more of a mixture containing cocaine base (crack). Both defendants are scheduled for sentencing on July 13, 2017. Co-defendant Joppa Jackson has also pled guilty and is scheduled for sentencing on August 10, 2017.

The investigation into this matter was a collaborative effort between the Drug Enforcement Administration, New Orleans Police Department, Plaquemines Parish Sheriff’s Office, Kenner Police Department, and Border Patrol. Assistant United States Attorneys Brandon S. Long and Theodore Carter are responsible for the prosecution.

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