Hollywood-based “Operation Snow Bird” shuts down cocaine smuggling ring

The “Snow Bird” Brascom brothers who pleaded guilty to trafficking cocaine using chartered planes were sentenced to six-10 years in a federal prison.

U.S. District Judge Manual Real sentenced the brothers, Jerome Brascom, 31, and Ricky Brascom, 29, in a Los Angeles courtroom today. The brothers were arrested, with 14 other defendants, during a federal investigation dubbed “Operation Snow Bird.”

The seven-month investigation focused on a Hollywood-based drug operation with ties to “Behind da Scenes Entertainment,” a group affiliated with the hip-hop music world.

Federal agents said the organization trafficked cocaine and laundered money on both coasts.

Prosecutors outlined in court that the convicted drug smugglers purchased large quantities of cocaine and hired charter planes to fly the drugs to Baltimore, distributed the drugs and flew suitcases stuffed with cash back to Hollywood.

The Brascom brothers were charged with multiple counts including, conspiracy to distribute cocaine, conspiracy to launder money, procession of a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime, possession with intent to distribute cocaine and a felon in possession of a firearm, according to the U.S. Attorney’s office.

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Federal agencies also seized drugs, firearms and cash as a part of the indictment.

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