ALBANY, NY – A sprawling, coast-to-coast marijuana distribution network, fueled by cash and armed with illegal firearms, has been shattered with the indictment of 24 individuals, federal authorities announced today. The operation, allegedly masterminded by Dwight A. Singletary II, aka “Nutt” and “Mike Jones,” and McKenzie Merrialice Coles, aka “Kenzie,” funneled thousands of kilograms of weed from a Fresno, California shipping hub, Fast Pack & Ship, to destinations across the United States, with a heavy concentration in New York’s Capital Region.
The feds say the scheme, which ran from at least 2016 until June 2022, wasn’t just about pot. Singletary and Coles allegedly shipped THC-laced edibles alongside the raw marijuana. Once the packages landed, a network of street-level dealers in the Capital Region, operating out of dilapidated “knock spots” – including one on 5th Avenue in Troy – handled distribution, often selling product through a slot in the door to avoid direct contact. Receiving tracking information via text message, customers included David Singletary; Lawrence Mumphrey; Deandre Caldwell, aka “Dilli,” “Dillinger,” and “Dre”; Rosemary Coles; Niara Banks, aka “Nie”; Jazell Shuler; Toqwanda Ketchmore, aka “Quannie”; Victor Turner; June Allyson Osman, aka “Juney”; Consanga Harris, aka “Sondy”; and LaFay Pearson, aka “Lala.”
But the operation wasn’t just about getting high; it was about getting rich. Authorities allege the profits were systematically laundered through a complex web of transactions, including money transfers, cash couriers – like Kristle Walker, aka “Demii,” who was caught with $179,710 at Albany International Airport – cashier’s checks, and real estate deals. Singletary and Coles even used the drug money to purchase two Fresno residences for a combined $820,000 and renovate properties in the Capital Region through companies like DAS Empire, Inc. and Daddy D’s Boutique (owned by Singletary) and M.M.M.C. Management, Inc. (owned by Coles). Renovated properties were then flipped for profit, further obscuring the source of the funds.
The ATF’s involvement stemmed from the frequent discovery of firearms and ammunition during searches of the “knock spots” and the homes of those running them. David Singletary, aka “DB,” and Lawrence Mumphrey, aka “L,” both previously convicted felons, were allegedly found to be illegally possessing weapons. This adds a layer of violent potential to an already dangerous operation, raising questions about whether the drug trade was protected by force. The 99-count indictment doesn’t detail specific acts of violence, but the presence of illegal firearms suggests a willingness to escalate conflicts.
“This wasn’t a mom-and-pop operation,” said a source within the ATF who requested anonymity. “We’re talking about a sophisticated criminal enterprise that spanned multiple states and involved significant amounts of money and weaponry. They treated marijuana like a legitimate business, but with none of the legal safeguards.” The investigation was a joint effort involving the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Northern District of New York, the ATF, the DEA, the Troy Police Department, and Homeland Security Investigations (HSI).
The indictment lays out a detailed account of the alleged conspiracy, painting a picture of a well-organized operation that exploited the interstate shipping system for illicit gain. While the specific charges and potential sentences for each of the 24 defendants remain to be seen, this bust sends a clear message: federal authorities are cracking down on large-scale drug trafficking organizations and those who profit from them, no matter where they operate. The case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Michael J. Shanahan.
Related Federal Cases
- Dwight A. Singletary II, Marijuana Trafficking, Nationwide 2023 · California
- Dwight A. Singletary II, Marijuana Trafficking, California 2016 · California
- Anthony Wills, Marijuana Trafficking and Money Laundering, NY 2016 · Illinois
- Phoumano Duangtavilay, Marijuana Trafficking, NY 2023 · California
- Onisha Smith, Marijuana Trafficking, New York 2024 · California
Key Facts
- Agency: ATF
- Category: Drug Trafficking|Fraud & Financial Crimes|Violent Crime|Organized Crime
- Source: Official Press Release
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