RALEIGH, N.C. (WNCN) — Using the U.S. Postal Service as a messenger, a man has been convicted for sending cocaine to multiple Raleigh addresses from Puerto Rico in 2022, according to court records which detail a federal wiretap investigation.
Cesar De Sena Arias, a 32-year-old who goes by the name “Junior,” was arrested as part of a joint investigation by the Federal Drug Administration and the Raleigh Police Department. In a release issued Thursday, the US Attorney for the Eastern District of N.C. said a judge sentenced Arias to 10 years in prison followed by five years of supervised release.
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The sentencing comes 11 months after Arias’ guilty plea was made on March 4, 2024. His plea of guilt included charges of:
- conspiracy to distribute and possess with intent to distribute five kilograms or more of cocaine
- possession with intent to distribute 500 grams or more of cocaine, and
- aiding and abetting.
During the investigation, the United States Postal Inspection Service was able to identify IP addresses that were used to track the shipments. At least one phone number associated with those IP addresses was traced to a known residence of Arias.
Arias, identified as “an armed leader of a trafficking organization,” was put under surveillance. During that time, the USDOJ release said investigators confirmed he traveled to the residences where packages were being shipped…