Two local men were sentenced Friday with over 10 years each in prison for their role in what police call one of the largest drug operations in Harford County.
Winston Charles Mack, 33, of Edgewood, was sentenced by U.S. District Court Judge William D. Quarles Jr. to 11 years and three months in prison followed by five years of supervised release, for conspiracy and possession with intent to distribute crack cocaine and marijuana.
Fernando Alexander Settles, 29, of Abingdon, was sentenced by U.S. District Court Judge William D. Quarles Jr. to 20 years in prison followed by 10 years of supervised release, for conspiracy to distribute and possess with intent to distribute both crack and powder cocaine, and possession with intent to distribute powder cocaine. Settles’ sentence was enhanced because of a previous felony drug conviction in Harford County.
Mack and Settles were among five people indicted on federal and state drug charges in connection with what is known as the Mack Organization, run by Mack and other family members.
The organization focused in the Edgewood and Joppa areas and police say the drug ring spread along the Route 40 corridor to Aberdeen and Havre de Grace, even going as far as Bel Air, northern Harford County and western Cecil County, to do business.
The organization was supplied with drugs from New Jersey and Baltimore, police say.
Both defendants were intercepted on court approved wiretaps and more than 50 recorded calls were played at their trial. In these calls, coded language was used to describe type and quantity of drugs sold by Mack and Settles.
Mack’s sister, Candis Mack, 34, of Joppa pleaded guilty to possession with the intent to distribute 500 grams or more of powder cocaine and 50 grams or more of crack cocaine. She was sentenced in May to 11 years and three months in prison.