The first sentence has been handed down for a drug trafficking group operating locally. Damien Victor of Lafayette was sentenced to 16 years in prison and 5 years supervised release following that for his role in the group that distributed crack and cocaine within the Truman neighborhood area in Lafayette. U.S. Attorney Stephanie Finley says 12 co-defendants were indicted in December of 2009, with 11 of them pleading guilty, and one scheduled for trial February 6. Finley says Martin Victor, Jr., is the leader of the group. She says he and the other dealers would buy the drugs from known suppliers, then Victor would supply them with the drugs to sell at various locations in the Lafayette area. Authorities say over $50,000 was seized as well, alleged to be drug proceeds.

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