Phil in Paris
08-03-2004, 10:41 AM
http://cbs4.com/floridanews/FL--PrisonDrugRing-dn/resources_news_html
Friday July 30, 2004
TAMPA, Fla. (AP) Nineteen inmates at the Coleman federal penitentiary have been indicted on drug charges in what federal prosecutors described Friday as a distribution ring behind prison bars.
Investigators have seized nearly $144,000 in drugs in the 16-month investigation of marijuana and heroin trafficking at the prison, U.S. Attorney Paul Perez said in a statement issued Friday. The FBI, Bureau of Prisons and Department of Justice Inspector General's Office found 377 grams of marijuana and 36 grams of heroin.
The inmates now face the potential of new prison sentences based on the drug charges, from a minimum of an additional five years to as many 80 years if convicted of the new charges.
Steve Cole, a spokesman for the U.S. Attorney's Office, said those charged were in the ``hierarchy'' of several prison gangs. Cole declined to name the specific gangs.
The drugs were coming from a variety of ways, Cole said. Some were brought in by visitors, others were mailed to inmates.
Recently, a cook at the prison plead guilty to conspiracy charges that he brought marijuana to an inmate. Charles West, 36, was sentenced to 15 months in federal prison.
The investigation is ongoing, Cole said.
(Copyright 2004 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)
Friday July 30, 2004
TAMPA, Fla. (AP) Nineteen inmates at the Coleman federal penitentiary have been indicted on drug charges in what federal prosecutors described Friday as a distribution ring behind prison bars.
Investigators have seized nearly $144,000 in drugs in the 16-month investigation of marijuana and heroin trafficking at the prison, U.S. Attorney Paul Perez said in a statement issued Friday. The FBI, Bureau of Prisons and Department of Justice Inspector General's Office found 377 grams of marijuana and 36 grams of heroin.
The inmates now face the potential of new prison sentences based on the drug charges, from a minimum of an additional five years to as many 80 years if convicted of the new charges.
Steve Cole, a spokesman for the U.S. Attorney's Office, said those charged were in the ``hierarchy'' of several prison gangs. Cole declined to name the specific gangs.
The drugs were coming from a variety of ways, Cole said. Some were brought in by visitors, others were mailed to inmates.
Recently, a cook at the prison plead guilty to conspiracy charges that he brought marijuana to an inmate. Charles West, 36, was sentenced to 15 months in federal prison.
The investigation is ongoing, Cole said.
(Copyright 2004 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)