Herbert Brandon, 55, was sentenced to 24 years in prison on July 18, 2023 in Charlotte, NC for drug trafficking, drug distribution, and money laundering. Click here to see video of 12 kilograms of cocaine worth $1.2 million being trafficked by a latino woman on the highway.
According to filed documents and information introduced at the sentencing hearing, in 2019, law enforcement identified Herbert as a member of a Drug Trafficking Organization associated with the CJNG Mexican drug cartel.
Herbert was responsible for distributing kilograms in bulk quantities of methamphetamine and heroin throughout Western North Carolina, including in Mecklenburg and Gaston Counties.
Over the course of the investigation, law enforcement conducted surveillance and controlled drug buys, during which they observed Herbert engage in several drug transactions with a confidential informant otherwise known as a snitch, and with other local drug dealers.
In addition to trafficking narcotics, Herbert engaged in money laundering activity by sending drug proceeds via wire transfers to Mexico based drug cartels in amounts varying from $980 to $1,500 per transaction.
Herbert was arrested in 2019 during a buy bust drug sting.
In October 2021, Herbert pleaded guilty to drug trafficking conspiracy and money laundering conspiracy, and distribution and possession with intent to distribute heroin and methamphetamine.
Judge Max O. Cogburn sentenced Herbert to 24 years in prison. Judge Cogburn also imposed five years of supervised release following Herbert’s incarceration.
