Canton Man Gets 46 Months for Cocaine Trafficking

JACKSON, MS – Dwight Powell, 54, of Canton, Mississippi, is headed to federal prison for 46 months after pleading guilty to trafficking cocaine. The sentence was announced today by U.S. Attorney Darren LaMarca and DEA Special Agent in Charge Brad Byerley, closing a chapter in a gritty investigation that ripped through central Mississippi’s drug networks.

Powell wasn’t a lone operator. He was snared in a sprawling DEA probe targeting major drug traffickers. The operation didn’t just stop at arrests; it hit the criminals where it hurts – their wallets. Authorities seized a staggering $585,000.00 in U.S. currency and a hefty 12 kilograms of cocaine, crippling the organization’s ability to operate. This wasn’t a small-time operation; this was a serious blow to the flow of poison into our communities.

The feds caught up with Powell, and on July 30, 2021, he admitted guilt to the charge of possession with intent to distribute 500 grams or more of cocaine. That’s a significant quantity, indicating Powell wasn’t just moving product, he was a key player in the distribution chain. He wasn’t some street-level dealer; he was facilitating the large-scale movement of narcotics.

This case wasn’t a solo effort. It fell under the umbrella of the Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Forces (OCDETF), a multi-agency behemoth designed to dismantle the highest-level criminal enterprises. OCDETF doesn’t mess around – it’s a prosecutor-led, intelligence-driven force that brings the full weight of federal, state, and local law enforcement down on these networks. They aim to decapitate the operation, not just arrest the foot soldiers.

The DEA led the investigation, but they weren’t alone. The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, the U.S. Marshals Service, the Hinds County Sheriff’s Office, the Jackson Police Department, the Mississippi Bureau of Narcotics, and even the Internal Revenue Service all contributed to bringing Powell to justice. It took a village, and a determined one at that.

Assistant United States Attorneys Keesha Middleton and former Assistant U.S. Attorney Chris Wansley handled the prosecution, ensuring Powell faced the consequences for his crimes. The 46-month sentence sends a clear message: trafficking large quantities of cocaine in Mississippi will land you in federal prison. This case underscores the ongoing fight against drug trafficking and the commitment of law enforcement to protect our communities.

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