Drug trafficker sentenced to 106 months in prison

WILKES-BARRE, Pa. – A Guyanan man, illegally residing in the United States, was sentenced Thursday to 106 months in prison and three years of supervised release for possessing with intent to distribute cocaine and crack cocaine and for possessing a firearm. The investigation was conducted by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement’s (ICE) Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) and the Pennsylvania State Police.

On Feb. 10 and Feb. 16, 2011, the Pennsylvania State Police Vice and Narcotics Unit executed search warrants at the residence of Augustine DeCruz, 59, in Wilkes-Barre. During the search, troopers seized approximately 77 grams of cocaine base, 85 grams of cocaine hydrochloride, two handguns, a rifle, approximately $2,500 cash, a surveillance system and a large amount of packaging material.

During the course of the investigation, special agents and officers were able to make multiple controlled purchases of cocaine from DeCruz during transactions that occurred in Wilkes-Barre. After his arrest by local authorities, DeCruz’s criminal case was adopted for federal prosecution.

"HSI is committed to keeping our neighborhoods safe from dangerous drugs," said John Kelleghan, special agent in charge of HSI Philadelphia. "Individuals who think they can get away with these crimes are on notice: you will be arrested and brought to justice."