Posted: Thursday, May 5, 2011 12:22 pm

http://www.rrdailyherald.com/news/article_aec53fce-7733-11e0-9af2-001cc4c002e0.html

Officials have released details about the Operation Burnout investigation of a Roanoke Rapids man who entered a guilty plea to federal drug and money laundering charges April 26.

Operation Burnout is an ongoing drug trafficking operation conducted by the Federal Bureau of Investigation, the Internal Revenue Service’s Criminal Investigation Division, the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives, the North Carolina State Bureau of Investigation, the Halifax County Sheriff’s Office, and the Nash County Sheriff’s Office.

In a story first reported April 28, Calvin Colweth “Spoke” Garner Jr., 35, of Roanoke Rapids, entered a guilty plea in federal court April 26 to charges of drug distribution and money laundering. He is due to be sentenced in August, said Robin Zier, of the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of North Carolina.

In a news release Thursday, U.S. Attorney George E.B. Holding issued details of the investigation into Garner’s activities, stating investigators believe Garner’s drug trafficking activities began in 1989. Between 1995 and 2004, investigators believe, Garner sold approximately 44 kilograms of cocaine powder to a single individual for around $1.25 million.

The investigation revealed, through individuals cooperating with authorities, that Garner got his drug supply from Texas, Florida, Georgia and Louisiana using vehicles equipped with hidden compartments that enabled them to carry up to 20 kilograms of cocaine per trip. Garner was identified as a leader in this operation by those individuals cooperating with law enforcement, according to Holding.

In addition to his drug activities, Garner was also investigated for money laundering, using numerous business entities to launder his drug proceeds, including “Rush Entertainment,” “Roanoke Valley Investors” and “Kalyb’s Carpet.” The release also said Garner instructed numerous people to put property he purchased in their names to conceal his ownership. In 2006, investigators believe, Garner and a co-conspirator purchased a 1994 Fleetwood Coronado Motorhome in Roanoke Rapids using drug proceeds in the amount of $17,760.

Garner also only filed one tax return between 2002 and 2008, reporting an adjusted gross income of $2,500 in 2007, according to Holding. During this same period, Garner purchased a 2003 H2 Hummer for $60,000 in cash, and bought drag racing motorcycles and cars with cash, as well as a floor stripping machine valued at more than $25,000, also with cash. In 2007, Garner bought $28,600 in chips from a casino in Las Vegas with cash, the release stated.

Garner was arrested by federal authorities on Oct. 1, 2010, and has remained in federal custody ever since. When he is sentenced, he faced the possibility of life imprisonment and a $4,000,000 fine.

Holding expressed gratitude to the agencies responsible for Garner’s investigation.

“This investigation is a prime example of the results that can be achieved when local, state, and federal law enforcement work together,” Holding said in his release. “The agents involved in this investigation have worked countless hours and have done a tremendous job. We are grateful for their hard work and will continue to join forces with them to dismantle the drug distribution network operating in our district.”