State and federal investigators arrested 29 people on Wednesday and charged them in asophisticated cocaine and marijuana operation.
The group operated out of Franklin and Delaware counties over the past decade and used theBrittany Hills section of Columbus as its base, 10TV's Lindsey Seavert reported.
A gang, called the Brittany Hills Posse, was involved in the drug ring that stretched betweenOhio and Atlanta, authorities said.
SLIDESHOW: StillWanted | Arrested
Teams of federal, state and local law enforcement agents started arresting the 29 people chargedin a federal indictment with participating in a drug-trafficking organization.
The charges are the result of a year-long investigation by the FBI, Columbus police, FranklinCounty Sheriff's Office and the Ohio Attorney General's Bureau of Criminal Identification andInvestigation.
Maurice Williams, 33, of Columbus, was still being sought by authorities as of Wednesdayevening. He is accused of being the ringleader, according to an indictment that wasunsealed.
"Williams is accused of engaging in a series of ongoing drug deals involving at least five otherpeople," said Gregory Lockhart, the U.S. attorney for the Southern District of Ohio. "Williams allegedly held the top spot in the organization, and obtained substantial income from theoperation, which the federal government intends to seize."
If he's convicted of operating a criminal enterprise, Lockhart said that Williams faces at least20 years and up to life imprisonment.
Authorities said 21 of the 29 defendants in the indictment are charged with conspiracy topossess with intent to distribute more than five kilograms of cocaine, punishable by at least tenyears and up to life imprisonment.
The 147-count indictment also includes firearms charges, use of a telephone in furtherance of adrug crime, and maintaining a house for the purpose of distributing drugs. The indictment alsoseeks forfeiture of all cash, coins, jewelry, and vehicles, and 36 firearms seized during thecourse of the investigation.
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