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Michigan – A Canadian man who was once on the Most Wanted List of Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) has been sentenced to 20 years in federal prison for running a huge drug trafficking network that transported hundreds of thousands of illegal pills into the United States over the course of several years.
A federal jury in Michigan convicted Khaophone Sychantha, 43, guilty on several offenses, including conspiracy to distribute methamphetamine, ecstasy, and BZP, as well as possession with intent to distribute the same. He was sentenced to 240 months in prison. The sentencing took place before Chief U.S. District Judge Sean F. Cox.
Court records show that for eight years, Sychantha ran a huge smuggling ring that carried huge amounts of drugs and drug money across the U.S.-Canada border. His network depended on a number of couriers who traveled through numerous U.S. states, bringing back cash from drug sales and transferring drugs.
Prosecutors alleged that Sychantha was in charge of the whole operation, making sure deliveries went smoothly and keeping an eye on the money. During the years-long investigation, a lot of the couriers who worked for him were caught and found guilty. David Sok, one of Sychantha’s closest allies, was also sent back to the U.S. from Canada and pleaded guilty in an earlier part of the case.
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Because of the size of the operation and Sychantha’s criminal record, which includes seven previous convictions in Canada, HSI Detroit put him on its Ten Most Wanted List. He was later caught and sent back to the U.S.
“This sentencing brings Sychantha’s cross border criminal enterprise to a fitting end,” said ICE HSI Detroit acting Special Agent in Charge Jared Murphey. “The collective effort by the case agents, the prosecutors and our international partners is astounding, and I commend them all for a job well done. ICE HSI will continue to collaborate with our partners to disrupt and dismantle international drug trafficking operations that seek to poison our communities.”
U.S. Attorney Jerome F. Gorgon Jr. echoed those sentiments, emphasizing the importance of protecting national borders from transnational crime.
“In order to be a nation, we must have secure borders. Americans need to be protected from transnational criminals dumping their dangerous drugs into our communities,” said U.S. Attorney Jerome F. Gorgon Jr.
Following his prison term, Sychantha will be subject to five years of supervised release. As a non-U.S. citizen, he will also face deportation to Canada once his sentence is complete.
The case was led by Homeland Security Investigations in Detroit and prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Jason Dorval Norwood and T. Patrick Martin.