Colm F. Connolly, United States Attorney for the District of Delaware, announced today that Matthew E. Minor, a/k/a "Mustafa," age 28, pleaded guilty to being part of a drug trafficking conspiracy involving the shipment of cocaine and marijuana from sources in Arizona to Delaware.

Minor also pleaded guilty to related firearm and money laundering charges. As a result of his plea yesterday, Minor faces a minimum sentence of 20 years in prison and up to life imprisonment on the drug charges.

At the plea hearing, held today in the District of Delaware, Minor admitted that the conspiracy involved the shipment of over 150 kilograms of cocaine, and between 100 and 400 kilograms of marijuana from Arizona to Delaware, and the shipment of hundreds of thousands of dollars in cash back to Arizona from Delaware to purchase additional drugs. According to prosecutors, Minor was the leader of this conspiracy, and was the link to the Arizona source of supply.

Minor admitted that he attempted to launder the drug proceeds by depositing drug money into bank accounts held in the names of his publishing company, Level V Entertainment, Inc., and his construction/real estate company, Al Maun Corporation. Minor further used drug proceeds to pay for a residence in Landenberg, Pennsylvania, and another residence in Penns Grove, New Jersey. The Government identified hundreds of thousands of cash deposits into these accounts above and beyond any legitimate business income.

Connolly said that this plea was the product of a two year investigation into Minor's drug trafficking and money laundering activities. Connolly praised the efforts of the Drug Enforcement Administration, Internal Revenue Service, and Federal Bureau of Investigation in investigating this conspiracy. Connolly stated, "Drug dealers should be advised that dealing will not pay. Convicted drug traffickers face stiff mandatory sentences in federal court. In addition, the United States will pursue not only jail time, but also forfeiture of drug proceeds - whether they be in the form of real estate, cash, jewelry, cars, or bank accounts."

For further information, please contact Assistant United States Attorney, Ilana Eisenstein or United States Attorney Colm F. Connolly.