AUSA VICKIE E. LEDUC at 410-209-4885

September 8, 2006

EASTERN SHORE DRUG DEALER SENTENCED TO 15 YEARS IN PRISON

Defendant Admits Distributing Between 50 and 150 Kilograms of Cocaine

BALTIMORE, Maryland - Justin Spain, age 25, of Federalsberg, Maryland was sentenced today to 15 years in prison, followed by 5 years of supervised release for conspiracy to distribute and possess with intent to distribute cocaine, announced United States Attorney for the District of Maryland Rod J. Rosenstein.

According to the statement of facts presented at his guilty plea on June 2, 2006, Spain obtained between 50 and 150 kilograms of cocaine from 1994 through June 20, 2005, which he distributed in the Eastern Shore area of Maryland. Spain hired couriers to transport cocaine from New York or Texas to Maryland. He also transported the drugs himself. On January 19, 2005, Spain was arrested by the Caroline County Narcotics Task Force after a UPS package containing two kilograms of cocaine was delivered to him from a supplier in Texas. On June 20, 2005, a kilogram of cocaine was found hidden inside the Cadillac he was driving when he was stopped in Louisiana for a traffic violation. Spain obtained the cocaine from his Texas supplier and was transporting it back to Maryland for distribution.

United States Attorney Rod J. Rosenstein thanked the Drug Enforcement Administration for their investigative work in this case. Mr. Rosenstein also praised Assistant United States Attorney Christine Manuelian, who prosecuted the case.