Fugitive And Drug Kingpin - Finally Sentenced
Noel Heath sentenced to 48 months incarceration

APR 5 -- (New York) Special Agent in Charge of the DEA, New York Field Division John P. Gilbride announced today that Noel Heath appeared before Honorable David G. Larimer in the Western District of New York and was sentenced to 48 months incarceration and three years supervised release. In June 2000, HEATH was listed as one of only a dozen International drug runners named to the first White House list of suspected drug kingpins under the 1999 Foreign Narcotics Kingpin Designation Act. HEATH was also a NYFD Top 10 Fugitive for several years prior to his extradition which occurred in March, 2006.

SAC Gilbride stated, “Today’s sentencing is a warning to drug traffickers. DEA is committed to the three “I’s” - identifying, investigating and ultimately incarcerating those responsible for distributing narcotics within our communities.” SAC Gilbride also praised the joint investigative efforts of the Drug Enforcement Administration’s Rochester Resident Office, the Rochester Police Department and the Western District of New York United States Attorney’s Office.

According to the federal indictment handed down in 1995, Heath is charged with conspiring to import more than five (5) kilograms of cocaine into the United States, in violation of Title 21, United States Code, Section 952, and conspiracy to possess more than five (5) kilograms of cocaine with the intent to distribute, in violation of Title 21, United States Code, Section 841(a) (1) and 846. The Indictment charges that in the months of June and July 1992, the defendant conspired and agreed with others to import and distribute cocaine in the Western District of New York. It is alleged that Heath, a native of St. Kitts, supplied accomplices residing in Rochester, New York with cocaine that was intended to be distributed here. During the course of the investigation, law enforcement officials stopped a tractor-trailer being operated by two accomplices on the New York State Thruway. Pursuant to a search of that truck, officials seized approximately 13 kilograms of cocaine concealed within the tractor-trailer.

The 1995 Indictment was the culmination of an investigation on the part of the Drug Enforcement Administration, under the direction of New York Field Division Special Agent in Charge John P. Gilbride, and the Rochester Police Department, under the direction of RPD Chief David Moore.