Rashad Jamal Blanchard, Methamphetamine Smuggling, North Carolina 2023

California Gang Member Caught Smuggling 46 Kilograms Of Methamphetamine At Charlotte Airport Is Sentenced To 20 Years

CHARLOTTE, N.C. – Rashad Jamal Blanchard, a 47-year-old member of the Inglewood Family Gangster Bloods, was sentenced to 20 years in prison today after he was caught trying to smuggle 46 kilograms of methamphetamine through the Charlotte Douglas International Airport.

According to court documents and court proceedings, on February 1, 2023, during an enforcement action at Charlotte-Douglas International Airport, HSI’s Queen City Regional Border Security Task Force conducted a search of Blanchard’s suitcases. Court records show that Blanchard had boarded a flight from Los Angeles to Charlotte and had checked four suitcases. A search of three of the suitcases revealed that each contained multiple black vacuum sealed packages that contained methamphetamine wrapped in comforters. The three suitcases contained a total of 34.6 kilograms of methamphetamine. Court records show that Blanchard’s fourth suitcase had been picked up from the airport’s baggage claim area by another individual who had then driven off in a vehicle. Law enforcement tracked down the vehicle and retrieved the fourth suitcase, which contained an additional 11.4 kilograms of methamphetamine.

In total, Blanchard had attempted to smuggle a total of 46 kilograms of methamphetamine through the Charlotte airport. Blanchard has an extensive criminal record in four states – North Carolina, California, Florida, and Virginia. His prior felony convictions include carjacking and bank robbery. When Blanchard was arrested in Charlotte, he was on probation for the bank robbery conviction. He was also on bond pending prosecution in California, where he is charged for allegedly possessing nearly four pounds of methamphetamine and shooting at an individual during a dispute.

On November 28, 2023, Blanchard pleaded guilty to possession with intent to distribute methamphetamine. He is currently in federal custody and will be transferred to the custody of the Federal Bureau of Prisons upon designation of a federal facility.

In making today’s announcement, U.S. Attorney Dena J. King thanked HSI, CMPD, and the Queen City Regional Border Security Task Force. Assistant U.S. Attorney Thomas Kent of the U.S. Attorney’s Office in Charlotte prosecuted the case.

Rashad Jamal Blanchard, a member of the Inglewood Family Gangster Bloods, was sentenced to 20 years in prison for possession with intent to distribute methamphetamine. The sentence also includes five years of supervised release upon completion of the prison term.

Mandatory Facts:

• Defendant: Rashad Jamal Blanchard
• Criminal Charges: Possession with intent to distribute methamphetamine
• City and State: Charlotte, North Carolina
• Exact Date: February 1, 2023 (arrest date), November 28, 2023 (sentencing date)
• Sentence: 20 years in prison, five years of supervised release

MORE FEDERAL CRIME NEWS

Drug Trafficking

GIE Preston, Crack Cocaine Trafficking, Louisiana 2014

Apr 8, 2015

Drug Trafficking

Lamar Vinson Kaintuck, Heroin Distribution, Maryland 2015

Dec 9, 2016

Drug Trafficking

Leshawn Lawson, Cocaine Possession with Intent to Distribute, California 2015

Feb 9, 2017

Drug Trafficking

Darryl Jasmin, Crack Cocaine Trafficking, New York 2023

Nov 18, 2014