FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:

MONDAY - March 16, 2009

ANOTHER TWO DEFENDANTS SENTENCED IN THE
HUNT ORGANIZATION DRUG RING

RALEIGH - United States Attorney George E.B. Holding announced that in federal court here on March 16, 2009, United States District Judge Terrence W. Boyle, sentenced two defendants involved in an Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Force (OCEDTF) investigation looking into an established narcotics distribution ring based in the St. Pauls, North Carolina, area known as the Hunt Organization. SAUL LOPEZ VELASCU, 21, received 120 months’ imprisonment and LOUIS DANILO SEGURA, 21, received 76 months’ imprisonment.

A Federal Grand Jury returned a Criminal Indictment on September 24, 2008. On December 15, 2008, both defendants pled guilty to conspiring to manufacture, distribute and possess with the intent to distribute five kilograms or more of cocaine. Additionally, VELASCU pled guilty to aiding and abetting possession with the intent to distribute five kilograms or more of cocaine, 50 grams or more of cocaine base (crack) and a quantity of marijuana; and possession of a firearm by an illegal alien.

On October 2, 2007, VELASCU and SEGURA were arrested following the execution of a controlled buy and then a search warrant at the residence of the defendants. Agents found 5,866.2 grams of powder cocaine packaged in six bricks, 33.8 grams of crack cocaine, 448.4 grams of marijuana, $25,131 in U.S. currency, and three firearms including a Winchester 12-gauge shotgun, Model 120, a .45 caliber Springfield Armory handgun, Model 1911, and a .22 caliber Marlin long rifle, Model 60.

Mr. Holding commented: “Agents with ICE and the NCSBI have worked long hours to bring this case to prosecution. They should be commended for their dedicated work to clean up neighborhoods of drug dealers and other criminals and to dismantle organizations which bring illegal drugs into our communities.”

Investigation of the case was conducted by the Bureau of Immigration and Customs Enforcement and the North Carolina State Bureau of Investigation. Assistant United States Attorney Jennifer E. Wells served as prosecutor for the government.

News releases are available on the U. S. Attorney’s web page at www.usdoj.gov/usao/nce within 48 hours of release.