Man sentenced to 16 years for running drug ring in Wilmington

RALEIGH, NC (WWAY) — A Texas man has been sentenced to federal prison for operating a drug ring in Wilmington.

Franz Didyer Ramos-Fernandez, 29, of Pasadena, Texas, was sentenced to a little more than 16 years in prison followed by 6 years of supervised release.

Ramos-Fernandez and co-defendant Fernando Enrique Cardona-Zavala were named in a five-count Indictment filed on June 27, 2017.

On September 14, Ramos-Fernandez pleaded guilty to Conspiracy to Distribute and Possess With Intent to Distribute a Quantity of Methamphetamine, a Quantity of Cocaine, and a Quantity of Marijuana.

The investigation revealed that Ramos-Fernandez was the head of a drug trafficking organization selling crystal methamphetamine or ICE, cocaine, and other drugs in the Wilmington area.

Cardona-Zavala was identified as one of Ramos-Fernandez’ primary dealers and he was sentenced on November 30.

Ramos-Fernandez utilized a sophisticated network of local bars, nightclubs and apartments to store and sell his organization’s drugs.

Undercover agents made several controlled purchases and seizures of narcotics from Ramos-Fernandez and Cardona-Zavala took place involving crystal meth and cocaine.

Between May and June, Ramos-Fernandez relocated to the Houston area. Later, a federal warrant was issued for his arrest where he was taken into custody by DEA agents in Houston.

Ramos-Fernandez admitted to selling ice to an undercover DEA agent in Wilmington and provided details about an drug trafficking organization out of Mexico with cells in Texas, North Carolina, and Philadelphia.