News Summary
A federal jury has convicted four men involved in a marijuana trafficking operation using a local car dealership as a front. The scheme lasted from 2017 to 2023 and transported around 1,000 pounds of marijuana into Virginia weekly. The defendants face sentencing in the coming months as the investigation revealed a vast network of financial transactions linked to illegal drug trade.
Newport News — A federal jury has convicted four men involved in a significant marijuana trafficking operation that utilized a local car dealership, Lux Auto Sales & Rentals, as a front for their illicit activities. The operation spanned from 2017 to 2023 and was uncovered after a tip-off prompted an investigation by the FBI in June 2021.
The conspirators were embroiled in a scheme that reportedly involved sending suitcases filled with cash to California in exchange for marijuana. Authorities estimated that the operation transported about 1,000 pounds of marijuana into Virginia weekly, primarily through a network of couriers who were paid up to $1,500 per trip. These couriers often carried firearms with them, heightening the risk associated with the transportation of both cash and drugs.
The four men prosecuted in this case include:
- Cortez Dayshawn Bumphus, 32, found guilty of multiple charges, including continuing criminal enterprise.
- Dilquon Best, 33, convicted for conspiracy to launder money.
- Earvin Jerome Moore, 45, guilty of conspiracy to distribute marijuana.
- Kamani Johnson, 30, found guilty of conspiracy to distribute marijuana and interstate travel in aid of racketeering.
Each of these individuals will be sentenced in December and January. In a larger context, they were part of a group of 37 defendants, 31 of whom had already pleaded guilty in connection to the trafficking operation. One more defendant is set to face trial separately, while one suspect, Guang Yang, remains at large.
The FBI’s investigation into Lux Auto Sales revealed that the dealership was not only a site for vehicle sales but also a hidden warehouse for marijuana. Drugs were often stashed in vehicles parked on the premises, which were cleared of their contents before being sold. Law enforcement was able to conduct controlled drug purchases and wiretapping that unearthed over 400 bank accounts, revealing more than $22 million tied to the suspects involved.
During the investigation, authorities seized approximately $400,000 in cash, along with half a ton of marijuana and various other contraband items. More than $500,000 was allocated for airfare, allowing couriers to travel to California for marijuana procurement and return to Virginia with the drugs stashed in suitcases.
While small amounts of marijuana have been legalized for personal use in Virginia, the sale of marijuana remains illegal. It is also prohibited by law to possess firearms in connection with drug offenses, which added a layer of complexity to the ongoing investigations and charges against the convicted men.
Cortez Dayshawn Bumphus, the youngest of the group, has a documented criminal history that includes prior violent crimes, facing charges in two murder cases where he was ultimately acquitted. This background sheds light on the nature of the individuals involved in this extensive trafficking network.
As the case unfolds, it marks a significant victory for law enforcement in the ongoing fight against drug trafficking in the region. The scale of this operation and the subsequent legal actions against the defendants signal a firm stance on illegal drug distribution in Newport News and the broader Virginia area.
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HERE Resources
Four Men Convicted in Newport News Drug Trafficking Case
Additional Resources
- Pilot Online: Newport News Pot Operation Guilty Ruling
- 13 News Now: Federal Jury Convicts Four in Newport News Drug Ring
- WCTI12: Carteret County Sheriff’s Office Arrests Local Drug Dealer
- Wikipedia: Marijuana
- Google Search: Newport News drug trafficking
