Harold Cook, Cocaine Conspiracy, Mississippi 2023

GREENVILLE, MS – A major crackdown on a cocaine trafficking ring has resulted in the 19th defendant pleading guilty. Harold Cook, 55, of Fort Worth, Texas, pleaded guilty to cocaine conspiracy, money laundering conspiracy, possession of a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime, and possession with intent to distribute cocaine.

The 19 defendants were charged in an indictment that included cocaine conspiracy, money laundering conspiracy, possession of a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime, and possession with intent to distribute cocaine. The case is the culmination of a Homeland Security Task Force operation that seized over 25 kilograms of cocaine and $150,000 in drug proceeds.

Cook’s co-defendants include Roy Ramirez, who was sentenced to 54 months and 3 years supervised release; Juan Carlos Mercado, sentenced to 46 months and 3 years supervised release; Javier Cardenas, sentenced to 54 months and 3 years supervised release; Thalmus Pace, sentenced to 60 months and 3 years supervised release; and Willie B. Hayes, awaiting sentencing.

The list of co-defendants includes Michael Hughes, awaiting sentencing; Derek Mosley, awaiting sentencing; Edyee Rascon-Mendoza, sentenced to 20 months and 3 years supervised release; Vinton Maclin, sentenced to 20 months and 3 years supervised release; Alyrone Green, awaiting sentencing; Jerry Moody, awaiting sentencing; Andre Rawls, sentenced to 110 months and 3 years supervised release; Marvin Hilliard, sentenced to 20 months and 3 years supervised release; Orlando McKinney, sentenced to 18 months and 3 years supervised release; Dewayne Smith, sentenced to 120 months and 3 years supervised release; and Christopher Lomax, awaiting sentencing.

Cook will be sentenced at a later date by Chief United States District Judge Debra M. Brown. He was remanded to the custody of the U.S. Marshals following his plea of guilty. U.S. Attorney Scott F. Leary stated, ‘We are all aware of the devastation that drug trafficking and violent gangs have visited on our communities.’

The Homeland Security Task Force (HSTF) initiative was established by Executive Order in 2025. The HSTF is a whole-of-government partnership dedicated to eliminating criminal cartels, human smuggling, and drug trafficking rings operating in the United States and abroad. This HSTF investigation typifies the interagency collaboration envisioned by our law enforcement community.

State and Federal agents, working together, convicted over a dozen defendants and seized over 25 kilograms of cocaine. By dismantling this drug trafficking organization, hundreds of pounds of drugs will be taken off our streets and lives will be saved.

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