(NEW ORLEANS)---A New Orleans federal grand jury has indicted a Mandeville couple on drug and gun charges, according to U. S. Attorney Jim Letten.

Letten reports that 22-year-old Joseph Otero and 40-year-old Sandy Zara have been charged with conspiracy to possess with the intent to distribute cocaine and marijuana. He adds that Otero has also been charged with possession of two assault weapons in furtherance of a drug-trafficking offense.

Letten says that, if convicted on the charges, Otero and Zara face a mandatory minimum of five years to a maximum of 40 years of imprisonment, a fine of $2 million, and at least four years of supervised release.

He adds that Otero also faces not less than five years and a maximum of life imprisonment, running consecutively to any other term of imprisonment, a $250,000 fine, and at least five years of supervised release on the weapons charge.

There was no mention of a potential trial date in the case.

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