News Release
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
November 24, 2004

MASHPEE MAN CONVICTED OF COCAINE DISTRIBUTION AND CONSPIRACY

Boston, MA... A Mashpee man was convicted yesterday in federal court of distribution of cocaine and conspiracy to distribute cocaine.

Mark R. Trouville, Special Agent in Charge of the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration in New England and United States Attorney Michael J. Sullivan, announced today that ERIC LINO , age 23, of 300 Falmouth Road, Falmouth, Massachusetts was convicted late yesterday, by a jury sitting before U.S. District Judge William G. Young of distribution of cocaine and conspiracy to distribute cocaine. The jury also found that the conspiracy involved between 3.5 and 5 kilograms of cocaine.

Evidence presented during the five day trial proved that LINO distributed 55.2 grams of cocaine on June 18, 2003 in Falmouth, Massachusetts . The evidence also proved that LINO participated in a conspiracy to distribute cocaine on Cape Cod from June 2001 to June 2003 and that the conspiracy involved between 3.5 and 5 kilograms of cocaine.

Judge Young scheduled sentencing for February 28, 2005. LINO faces up to life imprisonment and a $4 million fine. LINO faces a mandatory minimum sentence of 10 years’ imprisonment, due to a prior felony drug conviction on his criminal record.

The case was investigated by the Drug Enforcement Administration, with the assistance of the Massachusetts State Police, Mashpee Police Department and the Falmouth Police Department.