Marion Person, 70, was taken into custody by S.B.I agents and indicted on one count of conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute cocaine and marijuana. Agents say they think Person provided fake North Carolina drivers licenses to members of a drug smuggling organization.
Special Agent Fred McKinney says S.B.I. investigators have no idea how many more fake licenses are in existence.
The smuggling operation is believed to have imported at least 50,000 pounds of marijuana and 500 pounds of cocaine into North Carolina between 1988 and 1994. Agents say several other members have already been charged and are serving sentences in Federal prisons.
Person will likely face a similar future. A maximum sentence could get him life in prison and a $4 million fine. In addition to his alleged procurement of false drivers licenses, he is accused of producing false birth certificates and directing members to certain DMV offices, including offices in Elizabethtowne, Fayetteville and Wilmington.
The fake licenses helped members continue the drug operation without being identified by law enforcement officials
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