New York Man Convicted Of Federal Drug Charges
PORTLAND, Maine - John J. Arvanitis, Special Agent in Charge of the Drug Enforcement Administration for New England and United States Attorney Thomas E. Delahanty II announced today that Hasan Worthy, 36, of New York, New York, was found guilty following a seven day jury trial in the U.S. District Court in Portland, of conspiring to distribute and possess with intent to distribute 280 grams or more of cocaine base and 500 grams or more of cocaine, of possessing cocaine with the intent to distribute it, and of using a telephone to facilitate drug crimes.
According to evidence introduced at trial, from about March 2009 through August 6, 2010, Worthy and other conspirators regularly obtained cocaine from a dealer in New York City, used female couriers to body carry it to Maine where it was processed into cocaine base, or “crack cocaine,” and then sold it from apartments in Portland, Lewiston and Waterville.
During the investigation, agents seized 250 grams of cocaine from five female couriers. Agents also seized $11,000 worth of cocaine, digital scales, about $6,000 and five handguns during the execution of search warrants at two residences used by Worthy.
Worthy faces a maximum prison sentence of life and a maximum fine of $20 million. He will be sentenced after completion of a pre-sentence report by the U.S. Probation Office.
This case results from a joint investigation conducted by the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration, Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives, Maine Drug Enforcement Agency, Portland Police Department, York County Sheriff’s Office and Maine State Police and the ongoing effort of the Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task (OCDETF), a partnership between federal, state and local law enforcement agencies. The principal mission of the OCDETF program is to identify, disrupt and dismantle the most serious drug trafficking, weapons trafficking and money laundering organizations, and those primarily responsible for the nation’s illegal drug supply.
