Jonathan Pak, Methamphetamine, Cocaine, Heroin Trafficking, North Carolina 2021

A Wilmington, North Carolina man has been brought to justice for a massive methamphetamine, cocaine, and heroin trafficking operation. Jonathan Pak, 36, of Craven County, was sentenced to 216 months in prison for the distribution of approximately five kilograms of methamphetamine, two and a half kilograms of cocaine, more than 390 grams of heroin, and 160 grams of fentanyl.

Pak’s reign of terror was uncovered by law enforcement agencies, including the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms (ATF), the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA), the Department of Homeland Security (DHS), the United States Postal Service (USPS), the Craven and Onslow County Sheriffs’ Office, and the New Bern and Kinston Police Departments. The investigation, part of operation ‘Fighting Jelly Fish,’ was led by the Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Forces (OCDETF).

According to court documents, between December 2019 and January 2020, the USPS seized two packages containing one pound of methamphetamine each and one package containing half a kilogram of cocaine addressed to addresses associated with Pak. Additionally, ATF agents discovered that Pak had received 34 packages from October 2018 to January 2020 to various addresses.

On January 20, 2021, Craven County Sheriff’s Deputies and New Bern Police Detectives, working with ATF, made a controlled purchase from Pak of 16 grams of heroin in the Academy Sports parking lot in New Bern, North Carolina. On January 26, 2021, Detectives made a traffic stop of Pak following a sale Pak made of a quantity of heroin in the Lowe’s Home Improvement parking lot in New Bern. Law enforcement recovered more than 900 grams of methamphetamine, 160 grams of fentanyl, and more than 100 grams of heroin.

The evidence presented in court and other documents led to Pak’s conviction and sentencing. Michael Easley, U.S. Attorney for the Eastern District of North Carolina, made the announcement after sentencing by Chief U.S. District Judge Richard E. Myers II. Assistant U.S. Attorney Timothy Severo prosecuted the case.

Pak’s crimes were a significant threat to public safety, and his sentencing is a testament to the hard work and dedication of law enforcement agencies. The Eastern District of North Carolina will continue to work tirelessly to dismantle and disrupt organized crime operations that threaten our communities.

Related court documents and information can be found on the website of the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of North Carolina or on PACER by searching for Case No. 4:21-cr-00033-M-1.

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