Leader of Drug Organization that Distributed Marijuana and Cocaine Sentenced

PHILADELPHIA – United States Attorney William M. McSwain announced today that Tyron McFadden, of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, was sentenced today to 276 months’ imprisonment, followed by 10 years of supervised release, after pleading guilty to conspiracy to distribute five kilograms or more of cocaine and 1,000 kilograms of marijuana; aiding and abetting the possession with intent to distribute cocaine and marijuana; and conspiracy to commit money laundering.  The charges arose from defendant’s involvement as the leader of a large-scale drug trafficking organization that operated from in or about the fall of 2009 through October 2015, distributing multiple kilograms of cocaine and thousands of kilograms of marijuana in the Eastern District of Pennsylvania.

McFadden transported the drugs on commercial airlines and through the United States Postal Service.  McFadden solicited the help of United States Postal employees to intercept the packages containing the drugs and deliver them directly to McFadden and his associates. McFadden continued to operate the drug organization while in custody on two separate occasions during the time frame of the conspiracy, as illustrated on recordings made from prison facilities.  

McFadden and his associates also laundered over a million dollars in drug proceeds using numerous bank accounts with financial institutions with branches in both the greater Philadelphia and Los Angeles areas.  Specifically, the organization structured the deposits in amounts less than $10,000 and often directed the owner of the bank account to withdraw the drug proceeds in California on the same day as the deposit was made in Philadelphia.

“McFadden and other members of this deadly drug organization pumped cocaine and marijuana into our community for years, profiting from other people’s misery,” said U.S. Attorney McSwain.  “Even when he was in jail, McFadden continued to try to keep his drug operation afloat.  The sentence today reflects the seriousness of his conduct and the need for leaders of drug organizations to be held accountable for their actions.” 

“Tyron McFadden and his crew moved large amounts of cocaine and marijuana across the country to push here on our streets,” said Michael T. Harpster, Special Agent in Charge of the FBI's Philadelphia Division. “Even after run-ins with the law, McFadden was so determined to continue in the drug trade, he orchestrated transactions from behind bars. The FBI will continue to investigate and dismantle drug trafficking operations like this and bring those involved to justice, as we work to protect and serve our community.”