A Georgia woman has been sentenced to seven years in federal prison for her involvement in a dangerous drug trafficking network connected to Aryan prison gangs. On Friday, the U.S. Attorney’s Office announced that C’La Morales, 39, from Pierce County, Washington, received a 84-month prison sentence, followed by five years of supervised release.
Morales played a major role in distributing large quantities of fentanyl and heroin, working closely with Jesse Bailey, the leader of a violent drug ring that law enforcement dismantled. She was sentenced in U.S. District Court, where Judge David Estudillo emphasized the severe consequences of her actions.
“You took on the responsibility to distribute large quantities of controlled substances,” Judge Estudillo stated. “You had to know those were going to lead to addiction and wreak havoc for those individuals and their families, friends, and loved ones.”
Ties to Aryan Prison Gangs & Large-Scale Drug Distribution
Prosecutors identified Morales as a key player in a South Sound drug trafficking operation that had direct ties to white supremacist prison gangs operating inside and outside Washington state correctional facilities. Her work mainly involved redistributing massive amounts of drugs, particularly fentanyl pills and heroin.
Wiretap evidence revealed that Morales purchased and sold drugs in bulk, sometimes up to 10,000 fentanyl pills and 10 ounces of heroin at a time. She also had knowledge of Bailey’s large stockpile of firearms, which included fully automatic weapons used to protect their illegal operations.
What Authorities Found in Morales’ Possession
During a raid, law enforcement discovered a shocking amount of drugs and weapons in Morales’ storage locker and vehicle:
- 5,800 fentanyl-laced counterfeit pills disguised as oxycodone
- 480 grams of heroin
- A loaded Mossberg shotgun
- Several boxes of 12-gauge ammunition
- Two loaded pistols hidden in a lockbox inside her car
- $5,183 in drug proceeds
These discoveries further solidified the authorities’ case against Morales, proving her direct involvement in the high-level drug trade.
Repeat Offender with a Criminal History
Morales had a previous conviction in 2019 for drug trafficking while armed. At the time of her federal offenses, she was also evading a Pierce County drug court program. Prosecutors pointed out that despite her struggles with addiction, she repeatedly returned to drug trafficking, making her a significant threat to public safety.
Massive Federal Crackdown on Aryan-Linked Drug Operations
Morales’ case is just one piece of a larger federal investigation targeting Aryan prison gang-related drug rings in Washington and Arizona. In March 2023, a major law enforcement operation took place, involving:
- 10 SWAT teams
- Over 350 officers
- 24 federal arrests
During this operation, authorities seized:
- 177 firearms
- More than 25 kilos of narcotics, including fentanyl, methamphetamine, and heroin
- Nearly $330,000 in cash
Earlier seizures in the case uncovered 830,000 fentanyl pills and 223 pounds of methamphetamine, demonstrating the massive scale of the trafficking operation.
A Step Forward in the Fight Against Drug Trafficking
Law enforcement officials emphasized that Morales’ sentencing marks a crucial victory in the ongoing effort to dismantle dangerous drug networks linked to violent prison gangs.
The case remains part of a broader crackdown on organized crime, with officials vowing to continue pursuing individuals responsible for spreading dangerous drugs in the region.
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