Pizzaro Convicted Of Methamphetamine, Heroin Trafficking In New Orleans
NEW ORLEANS - On August 17 a federal jury convicted Dan Pizzaro, 48 and a resident of California, for his role in conspiring to distribute methamphetamine and heroin in the New Orleans area, announced DEA Special Agent-in-Charge Stephen G. Azzam, and Acting U.S. Attorney Duane A. Evans.
Following a four day trial the jury found Pizzaro guilty of the sole count of conspiracy to distribute and possess with the intent to distribute 500 grams or more of methamphetamine and a quantity of heroin.
According to the evidence presented at trial: in June 2014, St. Bernard Parish Sheriff’s (SBSO) deputies investigating methamphetamine distribution in Arabi, Louisiana, arrested two men who were selling methamphetamine on West Judge Perez Drive. Through their investigation, deputies learned that their source of methamphetamine was a resident of California and that Pizarro had introduced them to the source, thereby setting the conspiracy into motion.
Additional evidence presented at trial showed that even after leaving the New Orleans area, Pizzaro continued to direct and supervise the conspiracy. SBSO deputies coordinated with agents from the DEA New Orleans Field Office, and on June 26-27, 2014, federal agents and SBSO deputies intercepted four packages containing methamphetamine mailed through Federal Express to Arabi. In total, the four packages contained over one kilogram of methamphetamine. According to DEA laboratory analysts, the methamphetamine in all four packages had a purity level of over 99 percent, with one shipment testing as 100 percent pure methamphetamine.
Pizzaro faces a minimum sentence of 10 years of imprisonment and a maximum of life imprisonment, a maximum $10,000,000 fine, and at least five years of supervised release. Sentencing is scheduled for December 6, 2017.
This case was worked by the DEA and St. Bernard Parish Sheriff’s Office, with assistance from the Los Angeles Police Department.
Parents and children are encouraged to educate themselves about the dangers of drugs by visiting DEA’s interactive websites at www.JustThinkTwice.com, www.GetSmartAboutDrugs.com and www.dea.gov.
