Gift Wrapped Packages Contained Heroin, Methamphetamine and Marijuana

A California man who was stopped by the Kansas Highway Patrol has been indicted on charges of smuggling heroin, methamphetamine and marijuana, U.S. Attorney Barry Grissom said today.

Marcus C. Hicks, 29, Rialto, Calif., is charged with one count of possession with intent to distribute methamphetamine, one count of possession with intent to distribute heroin, one count of possession with intent to distribute approximately five pounds of marijuana and one count of interstate drug trafficking. The crimes are alleged to have occurred Oct. 30, 2012, in Seward County, Kan.

Hicks initially was charged in a criminal complaint filed Nov. 1 in U.S. District Court in Wichita. The complaint alleged Hicks was driving a rented car eastbound on US 54 near Liberal, Kan., when he was stopped by the Kansas Highway Patrol. A search turned up two gift wrapped packages in the rear cargo area. In the packages were two plastic containers containing approximately 907 grams (approximately 2 pounds) of methamphetamine, approximately 793 grams of heroin (approximately 1.7 pounds) and approximately five pounds of marijuana.

If convicted, Hicks faces a penalty of not less than five years and not more than 40 years in federal prison and a fine up to $5 million on both the methamphetamine count and the heroin count; and a maximum penalty of five years and a fine up to $250,000 on both the marijuana count and the interstate drug trafficking count. The Drug Enforcement Administration and the Kansas Highway Patrol investigated. Assistant U.S. Attorney Lanny Welch is prosecuting.