)
or https:// means you've safely connected to the .gov website. Share sensitive information only on official, secure websites.
Date: Nov. 18, 2025
Contact: newsroom@ci.irs.gov
David X. Sullivan, United States Attorney for the District of Connecticut, announced that Andre Messam, also known as “Dre” of Derby was sentenced today by U.S. District Judge Stefan R. Underhill in Bridgeport to 72 months of imprisonment and four years of supervised release for distributing methamphetamine and cocaine.
According to court documents and statements made in court, in May and June 2023, the FBI’s Transnational Organized Crime Task Force conducted two controlled purchases totaling approximately 80 grams of methamphetamine and five grams of cocaine from Messam. Laboratory analysis of the methamphetamine determined that it was 100 percent pure. Investigators then arranged to purchase a kilogram of cocaine from Messam.
On July 19, 2023, as he traveled to the planned meeting location to conduct the cocaine transaction, Messam fled from law enforcement officers who attempted to stop his car in North Haven. Later that day, he was located and arrested at a rental car agency on the Berlin Turnpike in Newington. Messam possessed approximately $7,200 in cash at the time of his arrest.
Approximately two weeks later, a review of surveillance video revealed that Messam had thrown an object from the car as he drove on an entrance ramp to I-91 North. Investigators went to the area and found a kilogram brick of cocaine wrapped in cellophane.
On May 20, 2024, Messam pleaded guilty to possession with intent to distribute, and distribution of, five grams or more of methamphetamine.
Messam’s criminal history includes state convictions and a federal heroin trafficking conviction. In June 2011, he was sentenced in Hartford federal court to 105 months of imprisonment. In March 2015, after federal sentencing guidelines were amended, his sentence was reduced to 81 months of imprisonment
Messam, who is released on a $250,000 bond, is required to report to prison on January 6. This investigation was conducted by the FBI’s Transnational Organized Crime Task Force, including members from the Internal Revenue Service – Criminal Investigation Division, and the Brookfield and New Milford Police Departments. The case was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Nathaniel J. Gentile.
IRS Criminal Investigation (IRS-CI) is the law enforcement arm of the IRS, responsible for conducting financial crime investigations, including tax fraud, narcotics trafficking, money laundering, public corruption, healthcare fraud, identity theft and more. IRS-CI special agents are the only federal law enforcement agents with investigative jurisdiction over violations of the Internal Revenue Code, obtaining a 90% federal conviction rate. The agency has 19 field offices located across the U.S. and 14 attaché posts abroad.