West Bridgewater Man Sentenced to Over 6 Years in Federal Prison in Sweep Targeting Regional Gang Network
WEST BRIDGEWATER — A 31-year-old West Bridgewater resident has been sentenced to nearly seven years in federal prison following a comprehensive multi-agency law enforcement investigation that cracked down on narcotics distribution networks and illegal firearm possession operating across Plymouth County and surrounding communities.
Lue Andrade was sentenced by a federal judge to 80 months—equivalent to six years and eight months—in federal prison, to be followed by three years of supervised release. The sentencing comes after Andrade entered a guilty plea to one count of conspiracy to distribute and possess with intent to distribute controlled substances, alongside four separate counts of being a felon in possession of a firearm.
Targeted Sweeps and Stash House Operations
Federal prosecutors and investigators stated that Andrade’s conviction and subsequent prison sentence stem from an intensive regional crackdown targeting the criminal activities of the Brockton-based Harvard Street Gang and its associated networks operating out of neighboring Randolph and surrounding towns.
Law enforcement agencies closed in on the operation after gathering intelligence linking various properties to narcotics storage and distribution. In December, coordinated raids were executed across multiple locations, including Andrade’s private residence in West Bridgewater and a heavily fortified second-floor apartment in Brockton that investigators described as an active, professional-grade drug repackaging workshop.
During the execution of the search warrants, federal and local authorities uncovered a massive cache of contraband and illicit materials. At the West Bridgewater home, agents seized multiple handguns, quantities of ammunition, several pounds of bulk marijuana, and specialized packaging equipment. Meanwhile, the search of the Brockton stash location revealed dozens of pounds of marijuana cleverly concealed within built-in wall compartments. Investigators also recovered two rifles, an additional pistol, high-capacity extended magazines, and various rounds of ammunition from the property’s basement.
Extended Criminal Timeline
Court documents indicate that the scope of the drug conspiracy tied to Andrade dates back multiple years, drawing further scrutiny from federal prosecutors. During a prior phase of the investigation involving search warrants executed at a former Bridgewater residence and a separate Brockton stash site, law enforcement recovered backpacks containing hundreds of grams of lethal fentanyl and cocaine ready for street distribution.
Prosecutors emphasized that due to a prior state-level conviction for drug dealing handed down in 2016, Andrade was strictly prohibited under federal and state law from purchasing, carrying, or possessing any firearms or ammunition. Despite these legal restrictions, investigators say he continued to embed himself deeply within armed narcotics trafficking rings.
Ongoing Regional Enforcement
The case was brought forward as part of an ongoing, high-priority initiative by federal, state, and local law enforcement task forces aimed at dismantling violent street gangs, curbing illegal gun trafficking, and stemming the flow of dangerous narcotics into communities south of Boston.
Law enforcement officials have reiterated that cracking down on repeat offenders who combine large-scale drug trafficking with illegal access to firearms remains a primary objective for public safety in the region. With the conclusion of this sentencing, federal authorities continue to pursue other related indictments stemming from the broader South Shore and Greater Brockton sweeps.
