Darrell Lee Watson, Conspiracy to Distribute 4-Fluroisobutyryl Fentanyl, North Carolina 2020
A Plainfield, New Jersey man has been sentenced to 48 months in prison for his role in shipping Fentanyl analogues to North Carolina.
Darrell Lee Watson, 39, pled guilty to the charge on May 21, 2020.
The investigation began on October 11, 2017, when agents observed co-conspirator Thornton Lewis Watson IV conducting hand-to-hand drug transactions in Raleigh.
Agents found Thornton Watson in possession of $3,485, a 9mm handgun, and 70 pills that appeared to be Oxycodone.
When tested, the pills were determined to contain 4-Fluroisobutyryl Fentanyl, a Fentanyl analogue.
Agents seized marijuana, $7,869, a firearm, and a cell phone from Thornton Watson on December 14, 2017.
The cell phone was later searched, and agents found text messages in which Thornton Watson provided Darrell Watson with the Durham address of a woman named Shantevia Evans.
Darrell Watson responded by providing a tracking number for a package.
Agents determined that between October and December 2017, seven packages had been sent to Evans, and one was still in transit.
On December 15, 2017, agents seized the package that was still in transit, and it was found to contain 414 pills that were marked as if they were Oxycodone.
In fact, they were found to contain 47.83 grams of 4-Fluroisobutyryl Fentanyl.
Darrell Watson is accountable for approximately 5,382 pills containing 621.79 grams of 4-Fluroisobutyryl Fentanyl.
Thornton Watson and Shantevia Evans have also been sentenced in connection with this investigation.
Thornton Watson was sentenced to 114 months custody (Case No. 5:18-cr-315-D-1), and Shantevia Evans was sentenced to 24 months custody (Case No. 5:18-cr-315-D-2).
Robert J. Higdon, Jr., U.S. Attorney for the Eastern District of North Carolina, commented on the dangers of buying and using prescription drugs on the street.
The Wake County Board of Alcoholic Control (ABC) Law Enforcement Division and the United States Postal Inspection Service (USPIS) investigated the case, with Assistant U.S. Attorney Scott A. Lemmon prosecuting the case.
Key Facts
- State: North Carolina
- Category: Drug Trafficking
- Source: DOJ Press Release â†â€â€
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