A man from North Carolina was given a sentence of 24 years in federal jail followed by five years of supervised release on Friday. He was found guilty of being the main person involved in a large-scale drug trafficking plot involving fentanyl and cocaine, which had direct ties to the infamous Sinaloa Cartel.
On June 28, 2024, Gray, of Raleigh, admitted to planning to sell and having 400 grams or more of a substance that had a detectable amount of fentanyl and five kilograms or more of cocaine. He also admitted to having these drugs with the goal to sell them. When he was caught, Gray was already on federal controlled release for a drug crime he had committed before.
Acting U.S. Attorney Daniel P. Bubar for the Eastern District of North Carolina stressed the government’s resolve to break up these crime networks. “This case shows that we are determined to break up drug trafficking networks, especially those linked to cartels, and hold those responsible for promoting drug abuse and violence in the Eastern District accountable,” Bubar said. “We will keep working with our state and federal partners to stop the flow of drugs that kill and get justice for the people in this district.”
Cardell T. Morant, who is in charge of U.S. Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) Charlotte, talked about how the sentence would affect people.
“This sentencing marks significant progress in our relentless efforts to shield our communities from the harmful effects of drug trafficking,” said Morant. This criminal network was broken up, dangerous drugs like fentanyl and cocaine, as well as guns, were seized. HSI and its partners are making our areas safer and making it clear that these kinds of illegal activities will not be tolerated.
On February 23, 2023, HSI got information that connected Gray to the Sinaloa Cartel. This was the start of the investigation into his actions.
A package from Corona, California, to a home in Greenville, North Carolina, was stopped on its way with almost five kilograms of cocaine inside. A controlled delivery was made on February 27, and a child picked up the package. After that, monitoring and an investigation proved that Gray had set up the pickup.
More surveillance caught Gray talking with people in North Hills, Raleigh, on August 23, 2023. Later, 82 grams of fentanyl and 40 grams of cocaine were found in a car that was stopped in Winterville. During a later raid in an Elizabeth City Dollar General parking lot, more than 2.5 kg of drugs were seized, including fentanyl and para-fluorofentanyl.
On March 13, 2024, Gray was caught. Before he was arrested, police saw him leaving a house in Raleigh that had a kilogram press, drug packing materials, several guns, and more than two kilograms of fentanyl. A search of Gray’s car also found proof of wire transfers to Mexico, which strengthened his links to drug dealing on a global scale.
Assault with a Deadly Weapon (2009), Possession of a Firearm by a felon (2009), and Conspiracy to distribute and possess with the intent to distribute 1 kilogram or more of heroin and 500 grams or more of cocaine (2012) are just some of the crimes Gray has been convicted of.
The sentence was given by U.S. District Judge James C. Dever III.
