Rahkim Franklin, 31, was arrested on December 17, 2024 accused of being the ring leader of a fentanyl pill trafficking operation in Charlotte, NC.
According to allegations in the indictment and court proceedings, from November 2022 to March 2024, Rahkim was the leader of a drug operation that manufactured and distributed large quantities of fentanyl pills in and around Mecklenburg county.
Court documents and court proceedings show that the drug conspiracy utilized a drug stash house in Charlotte as the pill press operation.
Investigators executed a federal search warrant at the house on March 7, 2024, where they seized an electric pill press, more than 500 grams of vacuum sealed fentanyl, nearly 1,000 fentanyl tablets, over 30 pounds of fentanyl mixed with suspected pill binder, and other material and paraphernalia consistent with the production of fentanyl pills.
The investigation revealed that Rahkim and his co-conspirators allegedly were manufacturing the fentanyl pills to appear to be prescription Oxycodone pills based on their color and imprint.
Rahkim was arrested charged with conspiracy to distribute and to possess with intent to distribute fentanyl, and possession with intent to distribute fentanyl.
The drug conspiracy charge and the charge of possession with intent to distribute fentanyl each carry a mandatory minimum sentence of 10 years and a maximum of up to life in prison.
