Daniels Brothers Plead Guilty to Trafficking Over Fifty Kilos of Marijuana

Benjamin J. Daniels, 37, of West Bountiful, UT, pleaded guilty to conspiracy to distribute and possess with the intent to distribute 50 kilograms or more of marijuana from Rhode Island to Pennsylvania.

His brother, Michael Daniels, 32, of Tiverton, admitted to his role in the conspiracy by pleading guilty to the same intention on Aug. 28, 2014.

According to a press release, Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) agents in Pittsburgh conducted an investigation of a single-engine aircraft located at an airport in New Castle, PA, in December 2013. A court authorized search of the aircraft resulted in the discovery of 12 sealed boxes marked “Sun Max, Hot Water Solutions,” which contained a total of 239 pounds of marijuana. The agents determined that Benjamin Daniels arranged for the pilot to fly the packages to New England for delivery, either to Benjamin Daniels or a person designated by him.

Federal agents followed the shipment from Pennsylvania to North Central Airport in Smithfield. At the direction of Benjamin Daniels, the pilot made arrangements to transport the boxes to a hotel in Lincoln. Once at the hotel, the pilot was instructed by Benjamin Daniels to meet up with a person who looked just like him. Federal agents watched as Michael Daniels pulled into the hotel parking lot, met with the pilot and began loading the boxes into a rented vehicle that he was driving. HSI agents arrested Michael Daniels, seizing the 12 boxes of marijuana and $4,694 in cash found on Michael Daniels’ person.

Michael Daniels is scheduled to be sentenced on Friday, Nov. 14, and Benjamin Daniels is scheduled to be sentenced on Friday, Dec. 19.

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