A South Carolina man has been sentenced to more than six years in jail for his involvement in a narcotics trafficking organization that transported large amounts of cocaine. Gerardo Calzada, 34, pleaded guilty to possession with intent to distribute 500 grams or more of cocaine and aiding and abetting on October 31, 2024, and accepted a 78-month sentence, according to the U.S. Attorney’s Office.
The Apex Police Department discovered Calzada’s involvement in 2020 after an investigation into local drug trafficking activities revealed his and others’ roles. The DEA quickly joined the operation. During a July 26, 2023 surveillance, he was seen delivering a paper bag to another member of the drug trafficking organization (DTO) at a Food Lion. After they left, law enforcement officers conducted a vehicle stop and discovered two kilograms of cocaine hidden inside cereal boxes, as well as a digital scale, a drug ledger, and receipts for money sent to Mexico and Honduras.
This case is part of a larger operation by the Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Force (OCDETF) to bring down high-level drug traffickers and dismantle criminal networks throughout the United States. The task force takes a collaborative approach, combining the efforts and intelligence of multiple federal, state, and local agencies.
According to the US Attorney’s Office, U.S. District Judge James C. Dever III sentenced Calzada, and the DEA, Apex Police Department, and Johnston County Sheriff’s Office were recognized for their work on the case. Assistant United States Attorney Kelly Sandling was recognized for her role in the case, acknowledging that in the courtroom, justice is defined by the work of individuals dedicated to upholding the law.