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Drug Trafficking Ring Busted in West Michigan
A California man has been convicted of his role in a drug trafficking and money laundering conspiracy in West Michigan. Calvin Charles Colbert, Jr., 33, of Los Angeles, was found guilty of federal drug trafficking and money laundering conspiracy offenses following a five-day trial.
The investigation, led locally by Johaun Lamont Howland, 31, of Grand Rapids, revealed that Colbert was Howland’s Los Angeles-based source for cocaine, crystal methamphetamine, heroin, and fentanyl. Colbert used the United States Postal Service and other interstate carriers to ship large quantities of drugs to Howland, who would further distribute the drugs in Grand Rapids and surrounding areas.
Law enforcement developed the investigation, in part, through multiple package interceptions. For instance, on February 28, 2018, investigators intercepted a USPS package that contained approximately 50 grams of heroin, 1 kilogram of cocaine, and 800 grams of fentanyl – a synthetic opioid that is 50 to 100 times more powerful than morphine.
During the investigation, agents seized approximately 2.5 kilograms of cocaine, 800 grams of fentanyl, 400 grams of crystal methamphetamine, 1.2 kilograms of marijuana, quantities of heroin, and over $100,000 in drug proceeds. U.S. Attorney Andrew Birge said that lives were undoubtedly saved by law enforcement’s interception of the package on February 28, 2018.
The investigation was conducted by the United States Postal Inspection Service (USPIS), Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA), Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF), Internal Revenue Service Criminal Investigation (IRS-CI), the Kent County Sheriff’s Office, and the Grand Rapids Police Department.
Colbert and Howland are just two of ten defendants who were convicted for their roles in connection with the conspiracies. The other defendants include Mark Anthony Martin, Sterling Wesley Hickmon, II, Justin David Martin, Jamica Taylor, Christian Yvonne Newbern, Teyon Rosser-Burch, Malik Saladian Green, and Jacarr Devon Cox.
The case highlights the impact of multiple agencies joining together to target a drug trafficking organization. DEA will continue to join forces with federal, state, and local law enforcement partners to target and remove criminals who peddle poisons and prey on our communities.
Colbert is scheduled to be sentenced at a later date. The exact sentence or outcome is not specified in the press release.
Key Facts
- State: Michigan
- Category: Drug Trafficking|Fraud & Financial Crimes|Violent Crime
- Source: DOJ Press Release â†â€â€
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