A father and son were among nine sentenced in an Ecstasy trafficking ring in Detroit.
Sylvester Boston Jr. was the last defendant sentenced. He's expected to serve 108 months in federal prison. His father, Sylvester Boston Sr., is sentenced to 96 months for his part in the scheme, officials say.
The additional seven defendants have been sentenced to the following:
Rodney Reaves, 24 months
Nikito Merchant, 48 months
Norman Christopher Ivory, Time served
Sondai Harris, 87 months
Raymond Thomas, 60 months
Corey Broaden, 24 months
William Burt, 24 months
In 2014, the defendants were charged in a 17-count indictment for running the distribution ring from May 2013 through April 2014.
U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement's (ICE) and Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) first became aware of the trafficking ring in May 2013. Special agents found that S&B Computers, located on the city's west side, was a front for the large-scale Ecstasy pill production and distribution organization.
The defendants were allegedly involved in the distribution of heroin as well, according to the indictment.
"As a result of this investigation and enforcement action, we've dismantled an entire drug trafficking network that we allege was responsible for funneling poison into communities in metro Detroit," said Steve Francis, special agent in charge of HSI Detroit. "The dismantling of drug-trafficking operations has a direct and immediate positive impact on the quality of life here in Detroit."
