A drug trafficker who was a fugitive from justice for six years was sentenced Friday to 27 years in federal prison, U.S. Attorney Tom Beall said. The defendant also was ordered to forfeit more $13 million in proceeds from his crimes.
Yehia Hassen, 36, formerly of Richmond, Va., pleaded guilty to one count of conspiracy to distribute cocaine and marijuana, and one count of attempted money laundering. In his plea, he admitted he was part of a large drug trafficking organization that operated in Kansas City, Kan. Drugs smuggled from Mexico were transported to Kansas City and then to Hassen in Richmond.
In all, Hassen received more than 100 kilograms of cocaine shipped to him from Kansas City, according to the U.S. attorney’s office. The organization used commercial and personal vehicles to ship drugs to Kansas City and transport cash to Mexico to pay for drugs.
While Hassen was on release pending sentencing, he absconded, according to the authorities. He used false identities to remain free until he was arrested in the Republic of Cyprus on April 28, 2016.
Beall commended the agencies and individuals who took part in Operation Load Runner, including the Drug Enforcement Administration, the U.S. Marshals Service, Assistant U.S. Attorney David Zabel and Assistant U.S. Attorney Tris Hunt.