A Maryland man was sentenced on July 24 in federal court for his role in a drug-trafficking conspiracy that transported large quantities of cocaine from California to Maryland. U.S. District Judge Paula Xinis sentenced Norville Clarke, 56, of Clarksburg, Maryland, to 40 months in prison and three years of supervised release for conspiracy to distribute controlled substances. Clarke’s co-conspirator, Daniel Cruz, 39, of Los Angeles, California, is awaiting sentencing after both men pled guilty to the charges in March.
Kelly O. Hayes, U.S. Attorney for the District of Maryland; Postal Inspector in Charge Damon E. Wood; Special Agent in Charge Christopher C. Goumenis; Colonel Michael A. Jackson; Chief Marc R. Yamada; and Chief George Nader announced the sentence.
According to court documents, multiple federal agencies began investigating the organization in March 2023 when the Maryland State Police seized a parcel containing approximately two kilograms of cocaine mailed from Los Angeles and destined for Clarke’s auto-repair shop in District Heights. Investigators linked Cruz to this shipment through postal records and surveillance footage showing him dropping off freight shipments at a shipping company in California and traveling to Maryland as shipments were delivered.
In January 2024, authorities identified another freight-shipment container sent from Los Angeles to Clarke’s auto-repair shop and later observed both men meeting at the location after its arrival. Law enforcement located the shipment in Dulles, Virginia; a K-9 officer indicated narcotics were present inside two automobile transmissions found within it—laboratory tests confirmed more than 16 kilograms of cocaine concealed there.
Subsequent searches at Clarke’s business and residence uncovered additional quantities of cocaine totaling nearly half a kilogram along with $45,730 cash at his home. Investigators identified nine previous similar shipments sent by Cruz using the same freight company. Both defendants admitted involvement with almost 22 kilograms of cocaine as part of their plea agreements.
Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN), coordinated by U.S. Attorneys’ offices nationwide as part of Operation Take Back America, supports law enforcement efforts against violent crime through rapid response strategies and partnerships among agencies at all levels.
Hayes commended all participating law enforcement agencies involved in this investigation and thanked Special Assistant U.S. Attorneys Patrick Rigney and Michael Jaskiw for prosecuting the case.
The U.S. Attorney for the District of Maryland serves nearly six million residents across Maryland with over 200 personnel across civil, criminal and administrative divisions while prosecuting federal crimes such as this case—a role that enhances quality of life through effective justice administration, according to the official website.