Newport News, Va. – A massive cocaine trafficking operation was dismantled as law enforcement arrested four men and recovered 119 pounds of the drug along with stacks of cash totaling $500,000 to $1 million.
Marvin O’Neal Carter, Sr., 49; Daniel Rodriguez (aka Daniel Lopez-Rodriguez), 49; Hilario Rodriguez (aka Hilario Lopez-Rodriguez), 50; and Michael Stephen Kuna, 42, were charged with conspiracy to distribute and possess cocaine. The suspects are due in court today at 4 p.m.
The affair began when agents noticed a tractor trailer unloading at a garage leased by Carter. Observing the men remove drugs from hidden compartments, agents conducted a traffic stop on Kuna, finding duffle bags filled with cash. A subsequent search of the garage and trailer yielded 54 kilograms of cocaine, 100 bundles of cash, a firearm, heroin, and additional cash.
Each defendant faces at least 10 years in prison if convicted, but sentencing will be determined by the court according to Sentencing Guidelines and other factors. The operation was a joint effort by the DEA, FBI, Newport News Police, and Hampton Police Division.
Dana J. Boente, U.S. Attorney for the Eastern District of Virginia; Karl C. Colder, DEA Special Agent in Charge; Jonathan F. Trimble, FBI Acting Special Agent in Charge; Richard W. Myers, Newport News Chief of Police; and Terry L. Sult, Hampton Police Division Chief, led the announcement of the charges.
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Key Facts
- State: Virginia
- Agency: DOJ USAO
- Category: Drug Trafficking|Fraud & Financial Crimes
- Source: Official Source ↗
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