New Orleans man pleads guilty to heroin conspiracy

NEW ORLEANS, LA (WVUE) - U.S. Attorney Kenneth A. Polite announced on Friday, March 3 that Antwine Smith, age 39, of New Orleans, pled guilty to conspiracy to distribute and conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute over one kilogram of heroin.

Smith was one of twelve defendants charged in a 23-count indictment on July 25, 2014.  According to court documents, this indictment stemmed from an investigation into a heroin-trafficking organization operating in New Orleans East.  Prosecutors say this organization was responsible for distributing at least 15 kilograms of heroin in the New Orleans area.  As part of the arrests in this case, federal agents have seized from the twelve defendants approximately $1,200,000 in assets (a combination of vehicles, currency, jewelry, and real property) as proceeds made from the sale of heroin.

Smith is facing a mandatory minimum sentence of 10 years and a maximum of life imprisonment, as well as a possible fine of up to $10,000,000.  U.S. District Judge Carl J. Barbier set sentencing on June 9, 2016.

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