New Orleans Men Indicted for Fentanyl, Heroin Distribution Conspiracy and Drug Trafficking Firearms Possession

NEW ORLEANS, LOUISIANA - On March 19, 2026, YANCY MATIRNE ("MATIRNE") and ERROL POINTS ("POINTS"), both from New Orleans, were charged on Marchs 19, 2026 in a three-count indictment by a federal grand jury, announced U.S. Attorney David I. Courcelle.

According to the indictment, MATIRNE and POINTS conspired and possessed with the intent to distribute fentanyl, heroin, and marijuana in New Orleans in the Eastern District of Louisiana.

MATIRNE was charged in Count 1 with conspiracy to distribute, and possess with intent to distribute, controlled substances, in violation of 21 U.S.C. §§ 841(a)(1), (b)(1)(B), (b)(1)(C) (b)(1)(D) and 846. In Count 2 MATIRNE was charged with possession with intent to distribute controlled substances, in violation of 21 U.S.C. §§ 841(a)(1), (b)(1)(B), (b)(1)(C), (b)(1)(D) and 846. Lastly, in Count 3 MATIRNE was charged with possession of firearms in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime, in violation of 18 U.S.C. § 924(c)(1)(A)(i). MATIRNE faces a mandatory minimum sentence for each of the violations in Counts 1, 2, and 3. The sentences imposed in Counts 1 and 2 may be run concurrently but must run consecutively to the §924(c) violation.

POINTS was charged in Count 1 with conspiracy to distribute, and possess with intent to distribute, controlled substances, in violation of 21 U.S.C. §§ 841(a)(1), (b)(1)(B), (b)(1)(C) (b)(1)(D) and 846. In Count 2 POINTS was charged with possession with intent to distribute controlled substances, in violation of 21 U.S.C. §§ 841(a)(1), (b)(1)(B), (b)(1)(C), (b)(1)(D) and 846. Based on a prior conviction, POINTS is subject to a sentencing enhancement. POINTS faces a mandatory minimum sentence of 10 years to life as it relates to Counts 1and 2.

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.

This case is part of Operation Take Back America, a nationwide initiative that marshals the full resources of the Department of Justice to repel the invasion of illegal immigration, achieve the total elimination of cartels and transnational criminal organizations (TCOs), and protect our communities from the perpetrators of violent crime. Operation Take Back America streamlines efforts and resources from the Department's Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Forces (OCDETFs) and Project Safe Neighborhood (PSN).

The case is a part of the NOLA Safe initiative and was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation and the New Orleans Police Department. It is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Brittany Reed of the Violent Crime Unit.

Operation NOLA Safe is a comprehensive, multi-pronged, and data driven law enforcement initiative designed to reduce violent crime in the Greater New Orleans area. This initiative brings together federal, state, and local law enforcement agencies to strategically align efforts and deploy targeted enforcement resources where they are most needed and effective.