Higher Reward Offered To Catch Detroit Fugitive

Carlos Powell (credit: U.S. Attorney's Office)

DETROIT (WWJ/AP) - The federal government has increased the reward for information that leads to the capture of one of three men who didn't appear in a Detroit courtroom to hear the verdict in a major drug trial.

Carlos Powell, brother Eric Powell and Earnest Proge Jr. weren't present when a jury convicted them May 12 in federal court.

The U.S. Marshals Service last week announced an offer of up to $5,000 for each fugitive. The agency raised the top reward for information on Carlos Powell to $7,500 on Tuesday.

The three had been free on bond during the trial. They're considered armed and dangerous.

According to authorities, the ring operated from 2006 to 2010. More than $21 million was seized, along with $800,000 worth of jewelry, and eight pieces of property in Michigan, two boats, and several luxury cars.

"The members of the organization would arrange for large amounts of money derived from the sale of drugs to be transported to Phoenix, Arizona, Mexico and elsewhere for the purpose of purchasing more controlled substances," the U.S. Attorney's office said in a release."As part of the conspiracy, the members of the organization would use semi-trucks and vehicles equipped with traps and hidden compartments to transport marijuana, cocaine and heroin, as well as cash generated from the sale of these drugs."

The men face up to life in prison.

A fourth defendant, 54-year-old Kenneth Daniels — a former State Representative for Detroit Fifth's District — was convicted of structuring financial transactions for the drug ring leader, Carlos Powell. Daniels did appear for the jury's verdict.

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