Celestio Lefranz Harrington, 34, of Lillington, has been sentenced to 24 years in federal prison for his involvement in a drug trafficking conspiracy. The sentencing was handed down by Chief U.S. District Judge Richard E. Myers II.
According to the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of North Carolina, Harrington played a central role in distributing large quantities of methamphetamine, cocaine, and fentanyl across several states. Authorities identified him as a key supplier in the Fayetteville area following information received by detectives with the Cumberland County Sheriff’s Office in early 2023.
Surveillance revealed that Harrington traveled throughout North Carolina, South Carolina, and Philadelphia to meet with suppliers and customers. On March 29, 2023, law enforcement stopped Harrington’s vehicle as he returned from Philadelphia. A search uncovered approximately 4.4 kilograms of methamphetamine and 4.1 kilograms of cocaine hidden in his trunk.
A subsequent search of his Fayetteville apartment led investigators to an additional 3.7 kilograms of methamphetamine, nearly half a kilogram of fentanyl, and items used for packaging drugs for distribution.
In total, officials reported that Harrington distributed over 180 kilograms (about 400 pounds) of methamphetamine, 15 kilograms of cocaine, and one kilogram of fentanyl—an amount described as sufficient to cause fatal overdoses for several times the population of Lillington.
“Drug traffickers like Harrington flood our communities with meth, cocaine, and fentanyl that kill our children and destroy our families. They prey on the devastation these poisons inflict,” said U.S. Attorney Ellis Boyle. “We will relentlessly target major suppliers, dismantle their networks, and hold them accountable by sending them to federal prison for decades.”
The investigation was conducted by the Cumberland County Sheriff’s Office with assistance from Homeland Security Investigations and the North Carolina State Highway Patrol. Assistant U.S. Attorney Caroline Webb prosecuted the case.
Ellis Boyle expressed appreciation for law enforcement efforts: “The U.S. Attorney’s Office appreciates the outstanding efforts of these dedicated law enforcement officers in cleaning up the streets of Eastern North Carolina.”
This prosecution is part of Operation Take Back America—a national initiative designed to combat illegal immigration-related crime and transnational criminal organizations through coordinated Department of Justice resources such as OCDETFs (Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Forces) and Project Safe Neighborhoods.
