U.S. Department
of Justice
Jacksonville Cocaine Distribution Organization Dismantled "BLEW NI’RU"
RALEIGH - United States Attorney Thomas G. Walker announced the recent completion of an Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Force (OCDETF) prosecution targeting Cocaine Trafficking in Jacksonville, North Carolina and the surrounding areas. The results of this investigation, code named Operation BLEW NI’RU, was a total of 26 convictions and the sentencing of 23 defendants to date. This drug trafficking organization operated in the Jacksonville area since the mid 1990’s and was responsible for distributing large amounts of cocaine powder and crack.
Mr. Walker statedThese defendants created havoc on the law abiding residences in the area by their distribution of large amounts of cocaine. My office stands ready to prosecute organizations like this to the full extent of the law to hold those who put profit ahead of public safety accountable.”
Sentences in these cases range from 24 months to 262 months imprisonment. See the attached with a list of individual defendants and their sentences. Operation BLEW NI’RU spanned 4 years and 5 North Carolina counties.
“This investigation, comprised of Federal, State and local law enforcement partners, required a significant investment of investigative manpower and resources resulted in a considerable impact to the level of drug activity in our community.” stated Deputy Chief Tim Malfitano, Deputy Director of Public Safety.
The Jacksonville Police Department’s Special Operation Division led a multi-agency, collaborative effort to target drug activity in the community. Other agencies involved in this investigation included the North Carolina State Bureau of Investigation, Federal Bureau of Investigation, Carteret County Sheriff’s Office and the Craven County Sheriff’s Office. Assistant United States Attorney Rudy E. Renfer prosecuted the cases for the government.