A Detroit man's fate has been sealed by a west Michigan jury for drug charges related to a 2022 cocaine bust. Joseph Michael McNoriell, 43, known on the streets as "Mike X," was convicted last week of conspiracy to distribute cocaine and heroin and possession with intent to distribute cocaine, according to an announcement by U.S. Attorney Mark Totten's office of Western Michigan. The Detroit News reported the conviction following a three-day trial.

Under the spotlight for his crimes, McNoriell was shown to have orchestrated the movement of 2 kilograms of cocaine from southeast Michigan to Lansing. "These illegal substances destroy lives and devastate communities," Totten stated, signaling a never-ending fight against drug distribution networks, as obtained by the U.S. Attorney's Office. Observed on June 2, 2022, McNoriell used a female courier to carry the drugs and followed her to purportedly ensure the delivery's success, only to fall into a trap set by DEA and Michigan State Police who were lying in wait to intercept the drugs.

In the takedown that nabbed McNoriell, a photograph of the seized cocaine highlighted the DEA's commitment to bring down traffickers. "This investigation emphasizes the mission of the DEA: combatting criminal drug networks like the one Mr. McNoriell was involved in," DEA Special Agent in Charge Orville O. Greene said.

The case drew to a close with McNoriell's sentencing date set for August 7, as per announcements from the U.S. Attorney's Office. Assistant United States Attorneys Vito S. Solitro and LaToyia T. Carpenter successfully prosecuted the case, which was a result of extensive investigations by the DEA, Michigan State Police, Lansing Police Department, and Holland Department of Public Safety.