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Summerville man sentenced to 12 years in federal prison

by Nikki Gaskins Campbell

handcuffs gavelBERKELEY COUNTY, S.C.–United States Attorney Bill Nettles stated that Hadden Andre Smith was sentenced today in federal court in Charleston, South Carolina, for conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute cocaine and marijuana, a violation of 21 U.S.C. § 841; possession of firearms in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime, a violation of 18 U.S.C. § 924(c); and conspiracy to launder money, a violation of 18 U.S.C. § 1956.

United States District Judge David C. Norton of Charleston sentenced Smith to 12 years imprisonment to be followed by 4 year supervised release. Smith also agreed to forfeit over $248,000 that authorities seized from his residence.

Evidence presented at the change of plea hearing established that on July 31, 2012, upon executing a search warrant at Smith’s residence, Berkeley County Sheriff’s Office Deputies found approximately $248,000 cash, 1.8 kilograms of marijuana, two firearms and drug packaging paraphernalia.

Further investigation by the Internal Revenue Service Criminal Investigations Division revealed that Smith used drug proceeds to purchase several vehicles, while having the vehicle titles put in the name of third parties.

IRS-CI Special Agent In Charge Thomas J. Holloman stated, “The laundering of illegal drug profits is as important and essential to drug traffickers as the very distribution of their illegal drugs. Without these ill-gotten gains, the traffickers could not finance their organizations. IRS Criminal Investigation is committed to taking the profit away from the drug traffickers and putting those individuals in jail.”

The case was investigated by agents of the Internal Revenue Service Criminal Investigations Division, Drug Enforcement Administration and Berkeley County Sheriff’s Office.  Assistant United States Attorney Nick Bianchi of the Charleston office prosecuted the case.
Nikki Gaskins Campbell
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