Fez-wearing drug dealers don’t want to pay $86M demand
Detroit — A fez-wearing drug kingpin is saying fezgeddaboudit to federal prosecutors who want him, his brother and friend to pay $86.2 million for running one of Metro Detroit’s most prolific narcotics rings.
Carlos Powell, who along with his brother and the third man wore fezzes every day during their trial last spring, was sentenced to life in prison in October.
Federal prosecutors want Powell, brother Eric Powell and drug dealer Earnest Proge to collectively pay an $86.2 million judgment.
That figure is unreasonable and based on “casual estimates” of the amount of drugs Powell sold across Metro Detroit, defense lawyer Deday LaRene wrote in a federal court filing.
Carlos Powell, 40, of Washington Township and his 36-year-old brother from Franklin should not have to pay more than $20.4 million, the lawyer wrote.
The Powell brothers and Proge were involved in a criminal case that drew national attention due to the drug ring's size, scope and profits.
The Washington Township man's drug ring allegedly laundered profits and purchased $800,000 worth of jewelry, real estate in Michigan and Georgia, and luxury vehicles, including two Bentleys, a Ferrari, a Rolls Royce, and boats. Most have been seized.
During a years-long investigation, DEA agents seized 66 pounds of heroin, 12 kilograms of cocaine and 1,000 pounds of marijuana.
“The amounts of drugs this man injected into this region are just staggering. It's just breathtaking,” Assistant U.S. Attorney Steven Cares said. “He knew it was illegal to inject poison into this region.”
The only dispute is the amount of drugs sold by the Powell organization, prosecutors wrote.
The $20 million figure cited by Powell’s lawyer is not accurate, they added.
The Powell drug ring generated $99 million in net proceeds from 2006-09, prosecutors wrote.
The government only wants $86.2 million because the FBI seized so much money and property during a years-long investigation.
In all, the government has seized $12.8 million in cash.
Prosecutors also want money found on Carlos and Eric Powell during a nationwide manhunt this spring.
The brothers and Proge jumped bond in May and disappeared minutes before jurors announced guilty verdicts.
Carlos Powell was captured in a home in St. Louis, Missouri, on June 4. He was carrying $723,901 and numerous cellphones, prosecutors wrote in a court filing.
Eric Powell was arrested by a fugitive task force at a hotel in Atlanta, Georgia, the same night as his brother. He was carrying $50,000 cash and a fake birth certificate.
Like his brother, Eric Powell was sentenced to life in prison in October.
Proge was arrested June 18 in St. Louis. The Detroiter will be sentenced next month and faces up to life in prison.
Prosecutors also want Carlos Powell to forfeit four properties, including homes in West Bloomfield Township and Grosse Pointe Woods.
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