Huberto Espindola-Soto, Cocaine and Marijuana Conspiracy, North Carolina 2016

New Bern, NC – In a major blow to the Mexican Drug Trafficking Organizations operating in the Eastern District of North Carolina, Huberto Espindola-Soto, a 37-year-old resident of La Grange, N.C., has been sentenced to 146 months in prison for his role in a cocaine and marijuana conspiracy.

According to court documents, Espindola-Soto was arrested on November 12, 2014, after a lengthy investigation by the DEA Task Force. During a search of his residence, officers found approximately 3 kilograms of crystal methamphetamine, 5 kilograms of cocaine, two assault rifles, and a .22 caliber rifle.

The investigation revealed that the conspiracy involved 335 kilograms of cocaine, 3 kilograms of crystal methamphetamine, and 500 pounds of marijuana. Espindola-Soto pleaded guilty to the charges on June 14, 2016.

The case was part of OCDETF Operation “Smokin’ Aces,” a multi-agency effort designed to attack the infrastructure of Mexican Drug Trafficking Organizations operating in North Carolina, the United States, and Mexico.

The case was investigated by the Drug Enforcement Administration, the Lenoir County Sheriff’s Office, the Greenville Police Department, the Johnston County Sheriff’s Office, the Wayne County Sheriff’s Office, the Wilson Police Department, the Rocky Mount Police Department, the Nash County Sheriff’s Office, the Goldsboro Police Department, the Raleigh Police Department, and the Person County Sheriff’s Office.

The federal prosecution was handled by Special Assistant United States Attorney Glenn Perry. Perry is a prosecutor with the Pitt County District Attorney’s Office, who was assigned to the United States Attorney’s Office to prosecute federal Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Force criminal matters.

On December 6, 2016, United States District Judge Louise W. Flanagan sentenced Espindola-Soto to 146 months in prison and 5 years of supervised release for conspiracy to distribute and possess with the intent to distribute 5 kilograms or more of cocaine and 500 grams or more of methamphetamine and possession of a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime.

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