Daren D. Cole, Bryan M. Bledsoe, Dewane E. Blue, Cocaine Trafficking, Alaska 2023

Three Las Vegas Men Charged with Cocaine Trafficking in Alaska

Anchorage, Alaska – In a shocking case of cocaine trafficking, three Las Vegas men have been indicted for conspiring to distribute five kilograms or more of cocaine between Las Vegas and Alaska.

The indictment charges Daren D. Cole, 47, Dewane E. Blue, 37, and Bryan M. Bledsoe, 36, with conspiring to distribute five kilograms or more of cocaine between June 2012 and June 2014.

The indictment alleges that Blue would obtain cocaine for distribution in Alaska and other states, and then give the cocaine to Bledsoe, an airport employee, who would bring the drugs into McCarran International Airport, Las Vegas, Nevada, without passing through security.

Inside the terminal, Bledsoe would then meet with Blue or others after they had gone through security screening, and provide them with the drugs. The drugs would be placed in the traveler’s carry-on baggage for distribution to Alaska and other states. Drug proceeds would be shipped back to Blue and other conspirators using the mail or parcel services.

The indictment details 12 parcels containing drug proceeds that were sent from Anchorage to Las Vegas. Four of the parcels were seized by law enforcement, containing a total of $414,230 in cash. The indictment seeks forfeiture of this money, along with several vehicles.

Cole was arrested on June 1, 2014, when investigators seized the ten kilograms of cocaine before he boarded his flight to Anchorage. Cole was subsequently indicted in Alaska for attempting to distribute the cocaine in Alaska, and is currently in custody in Anchorage.

Bledsoe and Blue were arrested between last night and this morning. They will be brought to federal court in Las Vegas for initial appearances on the Alaska charges.

The case was investigated by the Drug Enforcement Administration, in its Anchorage and Las Vegas District Offices; the United States Postal Inspection Service, in Anchorage and Las Vegas; the FBI Anchorage Safe Streets Task Force; the Anchorage Police Department; the Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Department; the Henderson Police Department; and the North Las Vegas Police Department.

The Clark County Department of Aviation has been providing invaluable assistance to law enforcement’s efforts since the seizure of cocaine in the airport on June 1. The case is being prosecuted by the United States Attorney’s Office for the District of Alaska, which has been assisted by the United States Attorney’s Office for the District of Nevada.

The maximum penalties for the drug conspiracy charge include a minimum of 10 years in prison and maximum of life in prison, a $10 million fine, and at least five years of supervised release. The charges in the indictment are merely allegations, and the defendants are presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.

Defendant Information:

Daren D. Cole, 47, of Las Vegas, Nevada

Dewane E. Blue, 37, of Las Vegas, Nevada

Bryan M. Bledsoe, 36, of Las Vegas, Nevada

Criminal Charges:

Conspiring to distribute five kilograms or more of cocaine between Las Vegas and Alaska

City and State:

Anchorage, Alaska

Exact Date:

June 1, 2014

Sentence or Outcome:

Cole is currently in custody in Anchorage, Bledsoe and Blue will be brought to federal court in Las Vegas for initial appearances

Dollar Amounts:

$414,230 in cash

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