FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACTAUSA VICKIE E. LEDUC or MARCIA MURPHY at 410-209-4885

MARCH 8, 2007

MEMBER OF RICE ORGANIZATION SENTENCED TO OVER 12 YEARS ON DRUG CHARGES

BALTIMORE, Maryland - U.S. District Judge William D. Quarles, Jr. sentenced Chet Pajardo, age 38, of Baltimore, today to 151 months in prison, followed by five years of supervised release for conspiracy to distribute and possessing with intent to distribute five kilograms or more of cocaine, announced United States Attorney for the District of Maryland Rod J. Rosenstein.

According to the statement of facts provided to the court, from about 1995 until February 2005, Pajardo conspired to distribute cocaine in the northwest area of Baltimore City. Pajardo picked up kilogram-quantities of cocaine from a house where conspirators routinely maintained their supply. Pajardo then paid individuals to distribute the cocaine to others. On at least one occasion, Pajardo showed up at an apartment with approximately six kilograms of cocaine in a gym bag and directed another individual to distribute those kilograms to customers. After the individual distributed the drugs, he gave the proceeds to Pajardo, who in turn paid the individual $1,000 per kilogram. On another occasion, Pajardo went to an apartment with approximately 15 kilograms of cocaine, directed an individual to distribute that cocaine, and thereafter collected the proceeds. During Pajardo’s involvement in the conspiracy, the organization distributed and possessed with intent to distribute more than 150 kilograms of cocaine.

United States Attorney Rod J. Rosenstein praised the investigative work performed by the Drug Enforcement Administration, Baltimore City Police Department, Internal Revenue Service - Criminal Investigation, the State’s Attorney’s Office for Baltimore City and the United States Attorney’s Office. Mr. Rosenstein also thanked Assistant U.S. Attorneys Steve Levin and Jason Weinstein, who are prosecuting the case.