A federal judge sentenced a Raleigh man to 50 years in federal prison for leading a large-scale drug trafficking organization.

The U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of North Carolina said Akeem Evans led the organization responsible for distributing cocaine, crack cocaine, fentanyl and other drugs throughout the Raleigh area.

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“This dealer ran a large-scale drug operation, exploited people he trusted, and pumped deadly drugs into our communities,” said U.S. Attorney Ellis Boyle. “This sentence, spending the next 50 years in federal prison, makes it crystal clear: if you sell drugs here, we will find you, we will convict you, and you will spend decades behind bars. This Big Shark Bad Boy won’t hurt our families and children for a long time.”

Earlier this year, a federal jury convicted Evans, 36, of multiple counts of conspiracy, possession and intent to distribute illegal drugs.

“The sentencing of Akeem Evans brings closure to a deeply disturbing case,” Raleigh Police Chief Rico Boyce said. “We are pleased that justice has been served and that those who distribute deadly substances into our community are being held accountable.”

According to court documents and other information presented in court, Evans operated a long-running drug trafficking organization out of multiple homes in Raleigh and the surrounding areas. Investigators determined that Evans’ organization distributed at least 11 kilograms of cocaine, more than 4.8 kilograms of crack cocaine (35 pounds combined), fentanyl, oxycodone and marijuana. Authorities said that Evans orchestrated others in storing, transporting, cooking and selling drugs.

"He wasn't a newbie," Boyle said. "He was a repeat customer."

The U.S. Attorney’s Office said Evans exploited personal relationships to help sell drugs. The office said he convinced his former childhood football coach to transport kilogram quantities of cocaine into the Raleigh area for distribution.

“You hate to see a trusted community advisor falling into the trap of this guy, Mr. Evans and his drug conspiracy; it’s a real shame,” Boyle continued.

The investigation revealed that Evans and his co-conspirators used stash houses, encrypted communications and countermeasures in an attempt to evade law enforcement. Investigators also identified Evans as coordinating drug deals with multiple customers and directing them where to purchase drugs.

Seven other individuals were arrested and pleaded guilty as part of this drug conspiracy, Boyle said.  

In March 2022, during the execution of a search warrant, officers recovered several kilograms of cocaine, hundreds of grams of crack cocaine, fentanyl pills, marijuana, drug paraphernalia and firearms from multiple locations connected to Evans and his gang of drug peddlers.

 Boyle said this arrest sends a message to people who might consider replacing these drug dealers.

“Don’t do it, because we’ll catch you, and we’re looking,” he said.