Berkeley County Woman Gets 12 Years for Cocaine Distribution
MARTINSBURG, WEST VIRGINIA – In a recent sentencing, Brandy Netz, a 35-year-old Martinsburg resident, was handed a 151-month prison term for her role in a cocaine distribution operation, announced U.S. Attorney Bill Powell.
Netz had pled guilty to one count of “Aiding and Abetting Possession with Intent to Distribute Cocaine Hydrochloride” in September 2019. Netz admitted to collaborating with someone to distribute cocaine in Berkeley County in January 2019.
The charges stemmed from investigations supported by the Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Force (OCDETF) under the Attorney General-led Synthetic Opioid Surge (SOS)/Special Operations Division (SOD) Project Clean Sweep. This initiative focuses on reducing the supply of synthetic opioids in identified “hot spot” areas, thereby reducing drug overdoses and overdose deaths, and pinpointing wholesale distribution networks and international sources of supply.
Assistant U.S. Attorneys Lara K. Omps-Botteicher, C. Lydia Lehman, and Timothy D. Helman prosecuted the case on behalf of the government. The Federal Bureau of Investigation; the West Virginia State Police; the Eastern Panhandle Drug & Violent Crimes Task Force; the Berkeley County Prosecuting Attorney’s Office; the Berkeley County Sheriff’s Office; the Jefferson County Sheriff’s Office; the Martinsburg Police Department; the Charles Town Police Department; and the Ranson Police Department were involved in the investigation.
This prosecution was brought as a part of the Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Forces (OCDETF) Co-located Strike Forces Initiative. This initiative enables agents from different agencies to collaborate on intelligence-driven, multi-jurisdictional operations against priority targets and their illicit financial networks.
Chief U.S. District Judge Gina M. Groh presided over the case. The charges are a result of Netz’s role in a cocaine, heroin, and fentanyl distribution operation in Berkeley County in January 2019.
The case highlights the ongoing efforts to combat organized crime in the region. Netz’s sentencing serves as a reminder of the consequences of involvement in illicit activities.
This case is a testament to the effectiveness of collaboration between law enforcement agencies in addressing the opioid crisis.
Key Facts
- State: West Virginia
- Category: Drug Trafficking
- Source: DOJ Press Release â†â€â€
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