News Summary
Merria Wallace, a 42-year-old from Florida, has been sentenced to 10 years in federal prison for her crucial role in a Michigan drug trafficking operation. Wallace, designated as the logistics manager, was involved in importing and managing the distribution of methamphetamine and cocaine across multiple cities in Michigan. Her sentencing is part of a broader crackdown on drug trafficking in West Michigan, with authorities recently seizing significant amounts of illegal drugs and cash during their investigations.
Grand Rapids, Michigan — Merria Wallace, a 42-year-old woman from Florida, has been sentenced to 10 years in federal prison for her pivotal role in a significant drug trafficking operation based in Michigan. Wallace is the 12th individual to face sentencing in connection with this extensive drug network that was responsible for distributing methamphetamine and cocaine across several cities in the state.
Authorities identified Wallace as a facilitator within the drug trafficking organization, designating her as the logistics manager. Her responsibilities included importing drugs into Michigan for sale and managing the logistics for her co-conspirators. This involved tracking packages, as well as booking flights for co-conspirators who were traveling to California with sizeable amounts of cash. Upon return to Michigan, these co-conspirators would bring drugs back with them. Furthermore, Wallace was directly involved in transporting drug money on behalf of Jason Demyers, one of the operation’s leaders.
The drug organization operated from August 2022 until July 2024, distributing cocaine and methamphetamine primarily in Metro Detroit, Lansing, and Kalamazoo. A comprehensive investigation led by law enforcement resulted in the seizure of approximately 40 pounds of both cocaine and methamphetamine, as well as properties utilized for trafficking and nearly $325,000 worth of jewelry.
Wallace’s sentencing is part of a larger effort to dismantle drug trafficking operations in the region. The Kent Area Narcotics Enforcement Team (KANET) recently reported seizing over $1 million worth of illegal drugs in a raid conducted in Grand Rapids. This operation included the recovery of around 11 pounds of cocaine, over a pound of fentanyl, and a loaded handgun. The street value of the cocaine seized during this investigation is estimated to exceed $1 million.
In recent days, four individuals from Kalamazoo and Kent counties have also been sentenced to federal prison for their involvement in drug trafficking activities. The authorities highlighted an incident from March 2024 involving a traffic stop in Kalamazoo, which led to the discovery of over 10,000 counterfeit pills containing fentanyl alongside other illicit substances. During a search of an individual named Morrow’s apartment, law enforcement found over 170 grams of cocaine, more than $12,000 in cash, amphetamines, morphine pills, and three firearms.
The ongoing investigations have also led to additional arrests. For instance, in May 2024, authorities apprehended Ruiz while he possessed over 8,500 counterfeit pills containing fentanyl and 400 grams of heroin. Davis was found with approximately 18 pounds of methamphetamine and 70 grams of cocaine during a search in July 2024, while Hughes was arrested for possessing more than 500 grams of fentanyl and over 100 grams of cocaine in the same month.
U.S. Attorney Andrew B. Birge has emphasized the persistent threat posed by illegal drug trafficking in West Michigan. KANET has been taking significant measures to combat drug trafficking within Kent County, as demonstrated through their recent social media posts outlining their continued efforts in the fight against such crimes. The collaborative approach of law enforcement agencies underscores the seriousness with which they are addressing this growing issue.
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Additional Resources
- Click On Detroit
- Wikipedia: Drug trafficking
- MSN News
- Google Search: drug trafficking Michigan
- Fox 17 Online
- Google Scholar: Michigan drug operations
- WWMT
- Encyclopedia Britannica: Drug trafficking
- Wood TV
- Google News: Kent Area Narcotics Enforcement Team
