Two kingpin brothers were sentenced to life in prison last week to life in prison, after going on the lam. According to reports, Carlos and Eric Powell ran one of the largest drug rings in Detroit history, from 2006 to 2010. The Detroit Free Press reports:
The operation involved massive amounts of cocaine, heroin and marijuana — which were stuffed into hidden compartments on semi-trucks and vehicles and shuttled across the country. And the players lived large, the government said, using drug money to buy $800,000 worth of jewelry, boats and luxury vehicles — including a Ferrari, Bentley, Rolls Royce and Mercedes.
Further reports show how the operation got down:
According to the U.S. Attorneys office, the group would send large amounts of drug proceeds to Arizona, Mexico and other places, where the money was used to buy more drugs.
And there were loads of drugs.
Since 2006, law enforcement officers from across the country seized more than 12 kilograms of cocaine, 30 kilograms of heroin and 1000 pounds of marijuana — all of which belonged to this drug ring. Authorities also seized more than $21 million in cash; more than $800,000 worth of jewelry; eight pieces of property in Michigan and Georgia valued in excess of $750,000; and 10 vehicles, including a 2004 Rolls Royce, 2006 and 2008 Bentleys, a 2006 Ferrari, four Mercedes, a Ranger Rover and two boats.
The Powell ring allegedly involved 13 people, including an ex-politician. Former Detroit Democratic state representative Kenneth Danels was sentenced to a year in jail for aiding Carlos Powell in staying low from the fuzz through “crafty financial transactions.” According to the Free Press, Daniels helped Carlos Powell buy a Mercedes Benz.
After the jury verdict was delivered, the Powells and the third defendant Earnest Proge got ghost, sparking an international manhunt for the trio. They were eventually caught. The Powell brothers were sentenced to life in prison last Monday by U.S. District Judge Stephen Murphy.
Read here about the family-run NJ drug operation shut down recently.
