POQUOSON DRUG RING KINGPIN GETS LIFE

NORFOLK -- A life sentence this week for a kingpin in a Poquoson-based drug
ring brought to a close the prosecution of one of the largest drug
operations ever on the Peninsula.

George Haugen, who ran the marijuana and cocaine operation using members of
his family, has already been sentenced to 30 years in prison. Haugen's
partner, a New Mexico man named Anthony Pacheco, received life in prison
Monday.

"The sentencing of (Pacheco) brings to justice one of the most notorious
and violent drug dealers in Hampton Roads," Paul McNulty, U.S. Attorney for
the Eastern District of Virginia, said in a statement Tuesday.

Pacheco was the last of 40 defendants to be sentenced in connection with
the drug ring.

Originally, 33 people, including Haugen's mother, father and two sisters,
were charged in March 2002. Since then, seven others have been charged and
pleaded guilty.

Charges ranged from various drug possession and distribution counts to
money laundering.

The ring likely began running drugs in 1996, earning about $8.5 million in
profits since that time. Authorities made arrests in March 2002 after
connecting the drug ring to large shipments of marijuana and cocaine from
Albuquerque, N.M., to the Peninsula and other areas of the country. The
cocaine and marijuana originated in Mexico and was transported across the
border to Albuquerque. Couriers often traveled in three-car caravans so
that one of the vehicles could operate as a decoy if they came under law
enforcement suspicion. Sometimes the drugs were shipped by Federal Express.

Once in Virginia, the drugs were stored in various places on the Peninsula.
Haugen was said to be receiving and packaging drugs at his waterfront home
on Wagner Road - the home he shared with his parents. After learning about
a year ago that someone in his operation was working with police, Haugen
moved to Emporia and set up a taxi service.

Money from the sale of the drugs would go back to New Mexico, officials said.

The investigation into the drug ring was conducted by the Peninsula
Narcotics Enforcement Task Force, made up of the Newport News, Hampton and
Poquoson police departments, the Virginia State Police, local
commonwealth's attorneys and federal agents from several groups.