South Raleigh News

A New Bern man has been sentenced to 40 years in prison for his involvement in a large-scale drug trafficking operation. Lucio Camargo Garcia was found guilty by a Raleigh jury on August 8, 2024, for trafficking and distributing methamphetamine and fentanyl in Craven County.

"Garcia took advantage of Craven County’s most hopeless souls, extracting profit from their pain and addiction," stated U.S. Attorney Michael F. Easley, Jr. He emphasized the commitment of law enforcement agencies to combat drug trafficking: "The Craven County Sheriff’s Office and New Bern Police won’t stand by and let armed drug traffickers push kilos of fentanyl and meth in our community unchecked, and neither will we."

Cardell T. Morant, HSI Charlotte Special Agent in Charge, also commented on the sentencing: "This sentencing sends a clear message that our community will not tolerate the trafficking of dangerous drugs like methamphetamines and fentanyl." He warned those involved in illegal activities that justice would be pursued relentlessly.

Craven County Sheriff Chip Hughes highlighted Garcia's role as a major importer and distributor of methamphetamine and fentanyl: "His prosecution, along with his co-conspirators has resulted in a significant reduction in the availability of these dangerous drugs in our communities."

The investigation began in 2021 when multiple agencies launched an effort to dismantle a drug trafficking organization responsible for bringing kilogram quantities of methamphetamine and fentanyl into Craven County from the southwest border of the United States. Through various methods including surveillance and controlled purchases, Garcia was identified as the primary distributor.

Between January and October 2022, law enforcement conducted several controlled purchases from Garcia. On October 31, 2022, search warrants led to seizures at residences linked to the organization. Approximately one kilogram of methamphetamine, around nine hundred grams of fentanyl (in both powder and pill form), and a loaded firearm were found at Garcia's residence.

This case was part of an Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Forces (OCDETF) investigation aimed at disrupting high-level criminal networks through collaboration among federal, state, and local agencies.

U.S. District Judge James C. Dever III handed down the sentence following an announcement by U.S. Attorney Michael F. Easley Jr., who credited multiple agencies including DEA, HSI, U.S. Postal Inspection Service among others for their work on this case.

Further details can be accessed via related court documents available on the website of the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of North Carolina or through PACER under Case No. 4:22-CR-75-D-RJ-2.