Massive drug distribution operation involving methamphetamine, fentanyl, and firearms dismantled in Detroit, with lengthy prison sentences for key defendants.
Leaders of Armed Drug Conspiracy Receive Federal Sentences
A major drug distribution network that funneled methamphetamine, fentanyl, and cocaine into Detroit has been dismantled, with three defendants receiving federal prison sentences, U.S. Attorney Dawn N. Ison announced. The group’s extensive operations, which involved mailing drugs from California to Michigan and managing distribution locally, were exposed through a joint investigation by the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) and the United States Postal Inspection Service (USPIS).
Key defendant Keith Haskins, 47, of San Bernardino County, California, was sentenced to 18 years in prison for his role as a ringleader. His associate, Kennie Smith, 46, of Clinton Township, Michigan, received a sentence of 125 months, while Mitchell, 39, of Seattle, Washington, was sentenced to 12 ½ years for assisting in transporting drugs and money across state lines.
Investigation Uncovered Massive Quantities of Deadly Drugs
The multi-agency investigation revealed a sprawling drug operation that moved nearly 200 pounds of methamphetamine, along with significant quantities of fentanyl and cocaine, into Detroit. The network relied on the U.S. postal system to ship drugs concealed in plastic buckets. Smith managed distribution from several properties in the city, while Haskins and Mitchell eventually moved to Detroit to expand operations.
In a November 2021 raid, federal agents discovered:
- 87 kilograms of methamphetamine
- 3 kilograms of fentanyl
- 1 kilogram of cocaine
- Seven firearms, including a drum-style magazine
- Hundreds of rounds of ammunition
DEA Special Agent Orville O. Greene highlighted the potential devastation: “The fentanyl alone could provide a deadly dosage to 1.5 million people. DEA remains committed to dismantling criminal organizations who exchange lives for monetary gain and blatantly ignore the laws of this nation.”
Defendants Face Severe Sentences for Criminal Operations
The conspirators pleaded guilty to charges of conspiracy to distribute methamphetamine, fentanyl, and cocaine, as well as possessing or attempting to possess with intent to distribute methamphetamine. The sentences reflect the grave threat posed by the operation:
- Keith Haskins: 18 years in prison
- Kennie Smith: 125 months (just over 10 years)
- Mitchell: 12 ½ years
- Chalisa Sawyer, another defendant, is awaiting trial set for January 28, 2025.
U.S. Attorney Dawn N. Ison emphasized the gravity of the offenses: “Drug dealers continue to imperil our communities with drugs like methamphetamine and fentanyl, and make things even more dangerous when firearms are involved. We and our agency partners will tirelessly pursue severe sentences to hold defendants accountable for the threat they pose.”
Detroit Grapples with Ongoing Drug Crisis
The dismantling of this drug trafficking network underscores the region’s ongoing battle against illicit drugs. Methamphetamine and fentanyl, highly addictive and deadly substances, remain critical challenges for Detroit and other urban centers. Federal agencies are intensifying efforts to disrupt such operations, which often exploit interstate systems like the postal service.
As law enforcement continues to target high-level traffickers, the case serves as a stark reminder of the devastating toll drug operations can take on communities.
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