Feds: Mass. man shipped synthetic opioids in Cheetos, Pirate’s Booty bags

A 23-year-old Massachusetts man is accused of running an online drug trafficking operation that mailed potent synthetic opioids across the country, tucked inside snack bags like Cheetos and Pirate’s Booty, federal prosecutors announced.

Jaden Zion Andre, of Rockland, was indicted by a federal grand jury on eight drug charges, including one alleging that drugs he distributed resulted in the overdose death of a woman in Las Vegas in April 2025, according to the U.S. Attorney’s Office.

Prosecutors say Andre advertised and sold synthetic opioids and controlled substance analogs using online accounts and forums, including a Telegram channel called “MontanaSnacksLLC,” a Proton Mail account called “SnackSeason,” and Reddit pages.

Customers allegedly contacted Andre through the accounts to request samples, place orders, and arrange payments and shipping, according to officials. Investigators say the drugs were disguised inside bags of cheese balls, chips, popcorn, rice crisps, and Pirate’s Booty, and mailed from post offices across Massachusetts.

In April 2025, prosecutors say a Las Vegas woman received a package through MontanaSnacksLLC after requesting a drug sample. She was found dead later that day.

A substance recovered from her bedroom tested positive for N-pyrrolidino ethylene isotonitazene, a synthetic opioid and analog of a Schedule I controlled substance, according to prosecutors.

Authorities allege Andre continued operating the business through May 2026. Investigators have also linked packages associated with MontanaSnacksLLC or SnackSeason to overdose death investigations in Florida, Pennsylvania, and Georgia, though those deaths remain under investigation.

Investigators intercepted or purchased several other alleged drug shipments, including four packages mailed May 26 that contained controlled substances hidden inside sealed Pirate’s Booty bags, prosecutors said.

A search allegedly turned up USPS shipping labels, customer and tracking information, cryptocurrency records, and photographs of suspected synthetic opioids bearing the “SnackSeason” name, according to officials.

Andre was indicted on one count of distribution and possession with intent to distribute a controlled substance analog resulting in death, three counts involving distribution and possession with intent to distribute controlled substance analogs, and four counts involving controlled substances.

The charge involving the Las Vegas woman’s death carries a mandatory minimum sentence of 20 years and a maximum of life in prison if Andre is convicted. The other charges each carry a maximum sentence of 20 years.

Andre, who is currently in state custody on unrelated charges, is scheduled to appear in federal court in Boston on Tuesday.