June 21, 2010

WICHITA MAN SENTENCED TO 20 YEARS AFTER ADMITTING COCAINE SALES IN THE MILLIONS

WICHITA, KAN. – Tyrone L. Andrews, 41, Wichita, Kan., has been sentenced to 20 years in federal prison after admitting he sold millions of dollars worth of cocaine while he was one of the leaders of a drug trafficking organization in Wichita, U.S. Attorney Lanny Welch said today.

Andrews pleaded guilty to one count of conspiracy to commit drug trafficking, 64 counts of using a telephone in furtherance of drug trafficking, 19 counts of distributing cocaine, one count of possession with intent to distribute cocaine and one count of maintaining a residence for the purpose of storing and distributing cocaine.

In his plea, he admitted that from 2001 until he was arrested Sept. 22, 2007, he made his living buying cocaine and re-selling it. From 2005 through 2007, he purchased approximately five kilograms of cocaine per week, for which he paid from $15,000 to $17,000 per kilogram, and sold the cocaine for approximately $18,000 per kilogram. His customers included members of the Crips street gang in Wichita.

In June 2007, the Wichita Police Department and Sedgwick County Sheriff’s Office conducted surveillance on Andrews’ drug stash house at 1821 S. Ridgewood. During June and July 2007, the investigators worked undercover to arrange to purchase cocaine supplied by Andrews and other conspirators.

Andrews was arrested Sept. 22, 2007, after leading officers on a chase through neighborhood streets.

Welch commended the Wichita Police Department, the Sedgwick County Sheriff’s Office and Assistant U.S. Attorney Debra Barnett for their work on the case.