Duplin brothers plead guilty to running meth ring

John Ashley Davis, 43, of Faison, and Kenneth Webster Davis, 48, of Clinton, both pleaded guilty to conspiring to manufacture, distribute and posses with intent to distribute 50 grams or more of a mixture or substance containing a detectable amount of methamphetamine.

John Davis was sentenced to nine years in prison, and Kenneth Davis to five years. Both prison sentences will be followed by five years of supervised release.

Prosecutors said that the Davis brothers collected ingredients for meth, cooked it, used it themselves and distributed it to others from 1998 to 2010.

"From individuals who cook methamphetamine to those providing the necessary ingredients which make the manufacture possible, each perpetuates the devastation caused by this poison remaining in our district," U.S. Attorney George Holding said in a statement Wednesday.

"The incarceration of such persons removes them from the communities which they have harmed for many years," he added.

John and Kenneth Davis were arrested as part of "Operation Fire Ants" to target meth distributors in and around Duplin County, prosecutors said. The operation has led to the arrest and conviction of more than 30 people on federal drug charges.