News Release
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Date: December 6, 2006
Emmett R. Highland
Wilmington, RAC
910-815-4513

Coordinated Enforcement Operation Nets
1.5 Million Dollars and 297 Pounds of Cocaine

297 pounds of cocaine and $1.5 million cash seized.
297 pounds of cocaine and $1.5 million cash seized.

DEC 6 -- On December 4, 2006, the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) Task Force, Cumberland County Sheriff’s Office, and North Carolina State Highway Patrol executed a state search warrant at 4315 NC Highway 20, St. Pauls, North Carolina which resulted in the seizure of over 1.5 million dollars in United States currency and 297 pounds of cocaine. Three defendants were arrested and charged with various North Carolina state drug violations. Some of those charges included: trafficking cocaine by possession, trafficking cocaine by delivery, trafficking cocaine by manufacture, trafficking cocaine by transport, and conspiracy to traffic cocaine.

The investigation was initiated in November of this year in conjunction with the Cumberland County Sheriff’s Office in North Carolina. The targeted organization was responsible for the distribution of hundreds of kilograms of cocaine in North Carolina.

Emmett R. Highland, Resident Agent in Charge of the DEA Wilmington Resident Office stated, “This was a substantial seizure which will have a measurable impact on drug trafficking in North Carolina. This case was successful due to the superb cooperative efforts of the agencies involved.”

The following defendants were arrested:

Craig Desadric Alford, Age: 21 of St. Pauls, NC
Willie Allen Fort, Age: 46 of Tchula, MS
Humberto Sanchez Jr., Age: 22, of San Antonio, TX

The DEA Wilmington Resident Office Task Force is comprised of members from the DEA, the Wilmington Police Department, the North Carolina State Highway Patrol, the Cumberland County Sheriff’s Office, the Sampson County Sheriff’s Office and the Jacksonville Police Department.

The defendants are charged and presumed to be innocent unless and until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law. The investigation continues.

Questions regarding this investigation may be directed to Resident Agent in Charge Emmett R. Highland at 910-815-4513.

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