Accused Maryland Heroin Dealer Busted in DC

WASHINGTON, DC — A Clinton, Maryland man was found guilty of a federal drug charge related to his role in a drug trafficking organization that operated in the DC area, the U.S. Attorney's Office announced Monday.

James Durrette, 45, was found guilty of conspiracy to distribute and possess with intent to distribute 100 grams of heroin, according to U.S. Attorney Channing D. Phillips.

The government's evidence established that Durrette was apart of a drug trafficking group that participated in a conspiracy to distribute large amounts of narcotics between 2009-2014.

They mainly trafficked very large quantities of marijuana, but also distributed various and significant quantities of heroin and cocaine. The group was frequently sent drugs from suppliers in California, Phillips said.

Several other people involved in this drug trafficking group pled guilty to charges during the investigation, Phillips said.

Durrette could face a sentence of up to life in jail, Phillips said. Due to his prior conviction for a similar drug offense, Durrette faces a mandatory minimum of ten years in prison. He'll be sentenced June 1, 2017.

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