Jury Finds Convicted Felon Guilty for Role in Large Scale Drug Trafficking Organization

A New Bern man was convicted after a three (3) day federal trial.  A jury returned guilty verdicts against Carlos Green, 33, for conspiracy to distribute and possess with the intent to distribute 500 grams or more of methamphetamine, 280 grams or more of crack cocaine and 500  grams or more of cocaine, distribution of 50 grams or more of methamphetamine, distribution of a quantity of methamphetamine, possession with intent to distribute a quantity of cocaine and crack cocaine, possession with intent to distribute a quantity of cocaine and possession of a firearm by a felon.   Green had a prior federal conviction and was prohibited from possessing this firearm.

On July 17, 2019, Craven County Sheriff’s Office and Kinston Police Detectives conducted a controlled purchase of a quantity of methamphetamine from Green at a sweepstakes business on Old Highway 70 in Cove City, North Carolina.

On July 24, 2019, ATF Agents, Craven County Sheriff Deputies and Kinston Police Detectives conducted a controlled purchase of more than 50 grams of methamphetamine from Green from the same sweepstakes business on Old Highway 70 in Cove City North Carolina.  The methamphetamine was more than 97% purity.

On August 21, 2019, ATF Agents, Craven County and Beaufort Sheriff’s Detectives conducted a search of Green’s Residence on Mill Road in Chocowinity North Carolina (Beaufort County).  Law enforcement found more than 100 grams of cocaine, a quantity of crack cocaine, pyric dishes with crack residue, a money counter and a load PLR-22 caliber handgun with a high capacity magazine.  

On December 10, 2019, ATF Agents and Craven County Detectives arrested Green at a residence on Durham Street in New Bern.  Law enforcement found on the stove a backpack that contained approximately three (3) ounce of cocaine.

During the investigation, Agents uncovered that Green was part of a drug trafficking organization that was importing pounds of methamphetamine through the mail for distribution into New Bern and Kinston, North Carolina.  In addition, Green was receiving nine (9) ounces of cocaine at a time from another source.  Green would cook four (4) ounces into crack cocaine.  Then all of this would be distributed into Eastern North Carolina. 

The investigation was part of OCDETF Operation Fighting JellyFish. An Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Force (OCDETF) is a joint federal, state, and local cooperative approach to combat drug trafficking and is the nation’s primary tool for disrupting and dismantling major drug trafficking organizations, targeting national and regional level drug trafficking organizations, and coordinating the necessary law enforcement entities and resources to disrupt or dismantle the targeted criminal organization and seize their assets.  This OCDETF focuses on a Multi-State Drug Trafficking Organization that has been involved in the distribution of large quantity of methamphetamine throughout the United States.

Robert J. Higdon, Jr., U.S. Attorney for the Eastern District of North Carolina made the announcement after the jury verdict before U.S. District Judge Louise W. Flanagan.  The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms, Drug Enforcement Administration, with assistance from the Craven, Beaufort, and Onslow County Sheriff’s Offices and the Kinston Police Department.   Assistant U.S. Attorney Timothy Severo  prosecuted the case.

A copy of this press release is located on our website. 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. 4:20-cr-00005-FL.

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