Rashourn Niles, Cocaine Trafficking, Virginia 2017

Alexandria, VA - Rashourn Niles, a 37-year-old man from Woodbridge, Virginia, was sentenced to 20 years in prison for his role in a major cocaine trafficking conspiracy.

Niles pleaded guilty on April 17 to conspiring to distribute 280 grams or more of cocaine base, five kilograms or more of cocaine, and 100 grams or more of heroin.

According to court documents, Niles was the main source of cocaine supply for his stepson, Tarvell Vandiver, who is the regional leader of the Imperial Gangsta Bloods.

Niles taught Vandiver how to manufacture 'crack' cocaine from the cocaine, and he also put Vandiver in contact with heroin distributors.

Niles was arrested in December 2017, as part of a coordinated law enforcement takedown codenamed Operation Tin Panda, which has resulted in 39 defendants convicted on federal firearms and drug charges.

As part of his sentence, Niles will forfeit his interest in a Bentley, a Range Rover, a Jaguar, a BMW X6, and a necklace worth $45,000.

Operation Tin Panda was led by the ATF's Washington Field Division and the FBI's Washington Field Office Safe Streets Task Force, with significant assistance from multiple law enforcement agencies.

Source: https://www.justice.gov/usao-edva/pr/leader-major-drug-trafficking-conspiracy-sentenced-prison