New Orleans Couple Indicted for Violations of the Federal Controlled Substances Act and Federal Gun Control Act

NEW ORLEANS, LA - On October 15, 2026, ALFRED FLANAGIN ("FLANAGIN"), age 42, and ASHA GANPAT ("GANPAT"), age 46, of New Orleans, were indicted for conspiracy to distribute, and possess with intent to distribute, controlled substances and use of a communication facility in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime, in violation of Title 21, United States Code, Sections 841(a)(1), 841(b)(1)(B), 841(b)(1)(C), 841(b)(1)(D), 841(b)(1)(E), 843(b), and 846, announced United States Attorney David I. Courcelle. FLANAGIN was also indicted for possession with intent to distribute controlled substances, possession of firearms in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime, and maintaining a drug-involved premises, in violation of Title 21, United States Code Sections 841(a)(1), 841(b)(1)(B), 841(b)(1)(C), 841(b)(1)(D), 841(b)(1)(E), and 856(a)(2), and Title 18, United States Code, Section 924(c)(1)(A).

According to court records, on October 2, 2026, FLANAGIN allegedly possessed with intent to distribute fifty grams or more of a mixture and substance containing methamphetamine, a quantity of a mixture and substance containing ketamine, a quantity of a mixture and substance containing ecstasy, and a quantity of marijuana. FLANAGIN is also alleged to have used and maintained a drug-involved premises on Louisiana Avenue Parkway in New Orleans, and possessed four firearms and numerous amounts of ammunition in furtherance of his drug trafficking activities. GANPAT is alleged to have conspired with FLANAGIN to distribute narcotics in the New Orleans area and used a communications device in furtherance of same.

If convicted of conspiracy to distribute and possess with intent to distribute controlled substances, FLANAGIN and GANPAT face a minimum of five (5) up to forty (40) years of imprisonment, up to a $5,000,000 fine, and at least four (4) years of supervised release. If convicted of possession with intent to distribute controlled substances, FLANAGIN faces a minimum term of five (5) years up to a maximum term of forty (40) years imprisonment, a fine of up to $5,000,000, and at least four (4) years of supervised release. If convicted of possessing firearms in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime, FLANAGIN faces a minimum consecutive sentence of five (5) years up to life of imprisonment, up to a $250,000 fine, and up to 5 years of supervised release. If convicted of maintaining a drug-involved premises, FLANAGIN faces up to twenty (20) years of imprisonment, up to a $500,000 fine, and at least 3 years of supervised release. FLANAGIN and GANPAT also face payment of a $100 mandatory special assessment fee for each charged offense.

U.S. Attorney Courcelle reiterated that the indictment is merely a charge and that the guilt of the defendants must be proven beyond a reasonable doubt.

The case was investigated by the U.S. Postal Inspection Service, the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives, Homeland Security Investigation, and the New Orleans Police Department. It is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Mary Ellen Buntin of the Narcotics Unit.

Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN) is the Department of Justice's nationwide initiative that brings federal, state, local, and tribal law enforcement, prosecutors, and other public safety partners together to coordinate efforts to combat violent crime and make communities safe. Coordinated by U.S. Attorneys' offices in each of the 94 federal districts, PSN is tailored to particular communities to strategically address specific violent crime and public safety challenges. As a key component of Operation Take Back America, PSN serves a central role in the Department's commitment to make our country safe. PSN emphasizes three core principles: rapid federal response to violent crime and criminal offenders; strong, strategic partnerships among law enforcement at all levels; and accountability and deterrence through the prosecution of the most serious, readily provable offenses and other strategies. These efforts complement and strengthen President Trump's Homeland Security Task Forces, ensuring a comprehensive federal response to the most pressing public safety issues facing communities.

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