Pubdate: Wed, 05 Feb 2003
Source: Daily Press (VA)
Copyright: 2003 The Daily Press
Contact:  http://www.dailypress.com
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/585
Author: Jessie Halladay

POQUOSON DRUG RING KINGPIN GETS LIFE

NORFOLK -- A life sentence this week for a kingpin in a Poquoson-based drug 
ring brought to a close the prosecution of one of the largest drug 
operations ever on the Peninsula.

George Haugen, who ran the marijuana and cocaine operation using members of 
his family, has already been sentenced to 30 years in prison. Haugen's 
partner, a New Mexico man named Anthony Pacheco, received life in prison 
Monday.

"The sentencing of (Pacheco) brings to justice one of the most notorious 
and violent drug dealers in Hampton Roads," Paul McNulty, U.S. Attorney for 
the Eastern District of Virginia, said in a statement Tuesday.

Pacheco was the last of 40 defendants to be sentenced in connection with 
the drug ring.

Originally, 33 people, including Haugen's mother, father and two sisters, 
were charged in March 2002. Since then, seven others have been charged and 
pleaded guilty.

Charges ranged from various drug possession and distribution counts to 
money laundering.

The ring likely began running drugs in 1996, earning about $8.5 million in 
profits since that time. Authorities made arrests in March 2002 after 
connecting the drug ring to large shipments of marijuana and cocaine from 
Albuquerque, N.M., to the Peninsula and other areas of the country. The 
cocaine and marijuana originated in Mexico and was transported across the 
border to Albuquerque. Couriers often traveled in three-car caravans so 
that one of the vehicles could operate as a decoy if they came under law 
enforcement suspicion. Sometimes the drugs were shipped by Federal Express.

Once in Virginia, the drugs were stored in various places on the Peninsula. 
Haugen was said to be receiving and packaging drugs at his waterfront home 
on Wagner Road - the home he shared with his parents. After learning about 
a year ago that someone in his operation was working with police, Haugen 
moved to Emporia and set up a taxi service.

Money from the sale of the drugs would go back to New Mexico, officials said.

The investigation into the drug ring was conducted by the Peninsula 
Narcotics Enforcement Task Force, made up of the Newport News, Hampton and 
Poquoson police departments, the Virginia State Police, local 
commonwealth's attorneys and federal agents from several groups.