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Rutland, VT — Ronald Harris, 32, of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, was sentenced to 100 months in prison followed by four years of supervised release for his role in a significant drug trafficking conspiracy. Chief United States District Judge Geoffrey Crawford handed down the sentence on July 17, 2024, after Harris pleaded guilty to conspiracy to distribute cocaine base, fentanyl, and heroin.
In late 2021, the Burlington Police Department Drug Unit began noticing a disturbing trend: heroin and fentanyl mixed with xylazine, also known as “Tranq.” This combination led to unprecedented wounds and severe withdrawal symptoms among users. The emergence of Tranq in Vermont marked a new chapter in the state’s drug crisis, as it had previously been more commonly associated with urban areas like Philadelphia. This alarming discovery prompted an extensive investigation lasting about a year and a half, aimed at identifying those responsible for importing bulk quantities of these dangerous drugs into Chittenden County, Vermont, from Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.
The investigation, conducted in partnership with the Drug Enforcement Administration, the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives, and Homeland Security Investigations, culminated in the January 2023 arrest of Ronald Harris. Law enforcement officials seized approximately $98,000 from Harris, over one kilogram of crack cocaine, and more than half a kilogram of heroin from an Essex Junction apartment linked to the drug trafficking organization.
Harris was identified as a trusted member of the organization, frequently transporting drugs and money between Philadelphia and Vermont from October 2021 to January 2023. Multiple other members of the organization have also been arrested, and prosecutions are ongoing.
United States Attorney Nikolas P. Kerest praised the collaborative efforts of all involved agencies, which were instrumental in the lengthy investigation.
The case was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Eugenia Cowles, with Harris represented by Assistant Federal Public Defender Steven Barth.
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Categories: Crime, Drugs and Crime
These big city POS, keep coming to VT to sell their drugs and they get busted and then the judicial system slaps them on the hand…………
These big city drug dealers see what happens, they gamble it’s easy in Vermont.
They sentence this dealer to prison, but let the Sacklers who have created a national opiate crisis off the hook in exchange for a lousy payoff. Just goes to show that there are two systems of justice, one for the wealthy, one for the rest of us.
The Sackler’s products were made available within the framework of the prescription drug system, approved by the DEA/FDA and prescribed by licensed physicians. There is a legitimate need for powerful pain medications as part of our health care system. In Vermont we allow the killing of the unwanted unborn up to the time of birth and allow people to work with a physician and obtain lethal drugs to legally end their own lives. There is potential for abuse and harm in all of these practices, yet they exist in the name of compassion and reproductive autonomy. Vermont does however impose a 72 hour waiting period to legally purchase a gun from a dealer, because we pretend to be concerned that some people may choose that reliable method to end their life. Someone who engages in the casual, recreational use of street opioids is also engaged in suicidal behavior. Ultimately it is the individual who makes the CHOICE to start using opioids while it is well known that it will likely result in a crippling addiction. It’s time to go back to expecting more in the way of personal responsibility.