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A Raleigh man was sentenced to 121 months for conspiracy to distribute and possession with intent to distribute 500 grams or more of methamphetamine and possession with intent to distribute 500 grams or more of methamphetamine, according to a May 11, 2023 press release from the U.S. Department of Justice, Eastern District of North Carolina.

According to court documents, evidence presented in court and other documents, on April 22, 2022, a Sampson County Sheriff’s deputy conducted a traffic stop on the car of Alphonso Lewis, 47, for a traffic violation on Interstate 40. “During the traffic stop, the deputy observed the odor of marijuana and a package that had been mailed from McAllen, Texas to Knightdale, North Carolina,” stated the release. “The deputy knew from his training and experience in drug interdiction that McAllen, Texas was a source city for drugs. The deputy also observed the unusual behavior that Lewis continued to grab and eat chicken wings while he was speaking with him. The deputy had probable cause to open the package and found 901 grams of pure methamphetamine and 350 grams of marijuana.”

According to the release, it was uncovered during the course of the investigation that Lewis had distributed more than five kilograms of methamphetamine to eastern North Carolina from 2021 until his federal arrest in August 2022. Law enforcement received information that some of the methamphetamine was being provided by a Blood gang member in Greensboro.

“Our office is proud to support our local law enforcement partners like Sampson County Sheriff’s Office in their battle to eliminate narcotics trafficking in their communities,” said U.S. Attorney for the Eastern District of North Carolina Michael Easley. “This prosecution demonstrates our commitment to go after people peddling this poison and should serve as a warning to those considering doing the same.”

“The Sampson County Sheriff’s Office is proud of its partnership with many federal agencies, including the US Attorney Office. Our agency has been proactive in seeking out and apprehending drug criminals. Many such drug peddlers have been located along Interstate 40 in our county. These proactive efforts by our officers and the partnerships with federal agencies are proof that teamwork can help further rid our communities of dangerous drugs and criminals,” said Sampson County Sheriff Jimmy Thornton.

Easley made the announcement after sentencing by Chief U.S. District Judge Richard E. Myers II. The Drug Enforcement Administration, Department of Homeland Security and Sampson and Duplin County Sheriffs’ Offices investigated the case. Assistant U.S. Attorney Timothy Severo prosecuted the case.

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