UTICA, NEW YORK – Leon Byrd, a/k/a ‘Paul Edwards,’ the Jamaican drug kingpin who reigned over a trafficking empire from Utica, was handed a sentence of time served (26 months) today for his role in distributing approximately 1.8 kilograms of cocaine and 29 grams of methamphetamine.
Acting United States Attorney John A. Sarcone III and DEA Special Agent in Charge Frank A. Tarentino III announced the verdict, which came after Byrd admitted to working with drug trafficking organizations led by Troy Dean and Maijia Scott. From September 2022 to June 2023, Byrd distributed drugs from New York City and California to St. Lawrence County.
Byrd was captured on June 22, 2023, during a raid at the residence of Dean and Scott, where authorities found over 1,500 grams of cocaine, 29 grams of meth, and $26,597 in cash. Once a permanent U.S. resident, Byrd’s status lapsed in 2004.
While Dean has pleaded guilty and awaits sentencing, Scott is set for trial in December. Sarcone emphasized that Byrd will be deported upon release from prison, adding, ‘We will continue to rid this country of foreign nationals who seek to distribute poisonous drugs in our communities.’
Tarentino highlighted the DEA’s ongoing efforts to dismantle drug trafficking networks, stating, ‘These drugs fuel addiction and violence, and the DEA will remain focused on dismantling the networks that bring them into New York.’ The case is part of an OCDETF investigation led by Assistant United States Attorney Douglas Collyer.
For more information on the OCDETF Program, visit here.
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Key Facts
- State: New York
- Agency: DOJ USAO
- Category: Drug Trafficking|Organized Crime
- Source: Official Source ↗
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