RALEIGH, N.C. (WITN) – A New Bern drug trafficker could get up to life in prison after he was convicted by a federal jury.

The U.S. Attorney’s Office says Lucio Garcia was a leader in a drug trafficking organization that moved kilos of methamphetamine and fentanyl in and around Craven County.

The 45-year-old Garcia was convicted of conspiracy, six counts of drug distribution and possession with intent to distribute, and possessing a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime.

The feds say in 2021, the DEA, Homeland Security, Craven County deputies, New Bern police, the SBI, and other agencies launched an investigation into an organization they say was bringing the drugs from the southwest border into Craven County.

During a raid on Garcia’s house, authorities say they seized about a kilo of meth, nearly two pounds of fentanyl, and a loaded gun. Most of the drugs were hidden in a secret compartment in the ceiling of the man’s bedroom closet.

Garcia is scheduled to be sentenced later this year.