Tampa, FL – In a significant blow to the notorious Bag Tawk Entertainment (BTE), a group notorious for distributing controlled substances in St. Petersburg, Cortez Haugabook, also known as ‘Traffic,’ has been sentenced to 25 years and 10 months in federal prison for his involvement in a large-scale methamphetamine, fentanyl, and cocaine trafficking operation.
Haugabook, 34, pleaded guilty to conspiracy to distribute 500 grams or more of methamphetamine, 40 grams or more of fentanyl, and cocaine, as well as possession with intent to distribute 50 grams or more of methamphetamine, fentanyl, and cocaine. This is the final in a series of sentences for the BTE members, who used residences in Pinellas County to manufacture and sell narcotics.
According to court documents, Haugabook, along with Torri McLaurin, Kristian Brown, and Javontah Harris, were members of BTE. They used residences in Pinellas County to manufacture and sell narcotics, which were often featured in videos posted online by the group. In these videos, BTE members showcased images of drug manufacturing and lyrics about making and selling narcotics.
Law enforcement executed search warrants at residences used by BTE to distribute narcotics, which were also featured by the group online. On January 23, 2022, Javontah Harris, also known as ‘Gut,’ was found to be in possession of 224.1 grams of a mixture containing methamphetamine, approximately $1,843 cash, and make-shift business cards containing a phone number traced to Haugabook.
In January 2022, agents located McLaurin, also known as ‘T-Dub,’ at the residence and recovered over 100 grams of fentanyl, methamphetamine, and cocaine, as well as firearms. In April 2022, agents located 62.7 grams of methamphetamine, 51 grams of fentanyl, 5 grams of cocaine, and two firearms at another location used by BTE to traffic narcotics. That same location was searched again in October 2022 and agents found Brown, also known as ‘Skeet,’ and Haugabook as well as 70.9 grams of pure methamphetamine, over 90 grams of cocaine, and 33 grams of fentanyl analogue.
On April 18, 2023, agents executed a search warrant at another stash location used by Haugabook and located 428.9 grams of methamphetamine and 18.9 grams of cocaine. Haugabook attempted to flush narcotics down the toilet during the execution of the warrant. McLaurin, Harris, and Brown were previously sentenced for their roles in this case. McLaurin was sentenced to 19 years and 7 months in federal prison, while Harris and Brown each received 20 years’ imprisonment.
This case was investigated by the Drug Enforcement Administration, the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, the Pinellas County Sheriff’s Office, and the St. Petersburg Police Department. It was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Samantha E. Beckman.
Haugabook’s sentence marks the culmination of a long-term investigation into BTE’s activities, which have had a significant impact on the community. The sentencing of Haugabook and his co-defendants serves as a reminder of the severe consequences of engaging in large-scale narcotics trafficking.
Related Federal Cases
- Tirso Hernandez-Astudillo, Methamphetamine and Fentanyl Trafficking, Florida 2018 · Alabama
- Darrell Lamar Corbin, Fentanyl and Methamphetamine Trafficking, Florida 2023 · Virginia
- Scott Oranje, Fentanyl Trafficking, Florida 2025 · California
- Benjamin Jenkins, Cocaine Trafficking, Florida 2015 · South Carolina
- Michael Bernard Code, Fentanyl and Cocaine Possession with Intent, Florida 2017 · Georgia
Key Facts
- State: Florida
- Category: Drug Trafficking
- Source: DOJ Press Release â†â€â€
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