Former Soldier Receives 15 Years in Federal Prison for Drug Trafficking Ketamine and Laundering More than $700,000

RALEIGH, N.C. – Gordon Ray Custis 26, of Fayetteville, was sentenced to 180 months in prison for possession with the intent to distribute ketamine, conspiracy to distribute and possess with the intent to distribute ketamine; and money laundering. He pled guilty to the charges on September 14, 2023. According to the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA), ketamine is a dissociative anesthetic that has some hallucinogenic effects. Common street names for ketamine include Cat Tranquilizer, Cat Valium, Jet K, Kit Kat, Purple, Special K, Special La Coke, Super Acid, Super K, and Vitamin K.   

“We are partnering with the Army to crack down on drug-trafficking soldiers like Custis, who was caught with over sixty pounds of illicit African-sourced ketamine,” said U.S. Attorney Michael Easley.  “This fifteen-year sentence is a warning to any member of our armed services who thinks they can engage in drug-trafficking and money-laundering while wearing the uniform.  American troops are the greatest fighting force in the world’s history, and we are proud to partner with the Army to ensure integrity in the ranks.”

“This case is a great example of strong partnerships across the spectrum of law enforcement,” said Shane Watts, Special Agent in Charge of the Carolinas Field Office. “Army CID will continue to target those responsible for degrading the Army mission through criminal acts by conducting professional and comprehensive investigations.”

According to court documents and other information presented in court, on May 7, 2021, U.S. Homeland Security Investigations was notified by the French Customs Service stationed at Charles De Gaulle International airport that a package from Cameroon had been intercepted containing approximately three kilograms of ketamine.  The package was delivered to Gordon Ray Custis, then a soldier at Fort Liberty, at his home in Fayetteville, by Federal Task Force Officers with the Cumberland County Sheriff’s Office. 

Custis pled guilty to possession with the intent to distribute ketamine and he was released pending sentencing.  While awaiting sentencing, the Army Criminal Investigative Division and Defense Criminal Investigative Service received information that Custis was laundering money.  The subsequent investigation revealed that Custis, acting in a leadership role involving co-defendant and others, laundered over $700,000. 

On February 1, 2023, a second search warrant was executed at Custis’s home and investigators recovered 28.5 kilograms of ketamine, $164,200 in cash, digital scales and vacuums sealing materials. 

Michael Easley, U.S. Attorney for the Eastern District of North Carolina made the announcement after sentencing by U.S. District Judge James C. Dever III. The U.S. Army Criminal Investigative Division, Defense Criminal Investigative Service, Homeland Security Investigations, and Cumberland County Sheriff’s Office investigated the case and Assistant U.S. Attorney Gabe Diaz prosecuted the case.

Related court documents and information can be found on the website of the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of North Carolina or on PACER by searching for Case No. 5:23-CR-0058-D-1.