RALEIGH, N.C. — A former NFL player was sentenced Wednesday to 14 years in prison for his involvement in a massive drug trafficking conspiracy.
According to court documents, 39-year-old Richard Dwight Alston was involved in a multi-year and cross-country conspiracy to traffic in large amounts of marijuana and then distribute it to people in Raleigh. The Drug Enforcement Administration and Internal Revenue Service had been investigating Alston for several years.
On Nov. 2, 2017, federal agents searched apartments that they believed were stash locations for Alston’s large-scale marijuana organization. During the search, agents found over 40 pounds of marijuana and $371,670.00.
Agents were then able to set up the delivery of Alston’s next drug shipment on November 6, 2017. On that day, agents arrested two people who were responsible for transporting the marijuana. A search of their vehicle revealed 7 large duffel bags containing almost 200 kilograms of marijuana, along with $67,814.
A financial investigation conducted by the IRS revealed that Alston had laundered over $2.7 million of drug money through a business bank account over a period of several years.
Alston was sentenced to 168 months in prison and was ordered by the court to give up $2,708,000 in laundered drug proceeds.
He played briefly for the Cleveland Browns in 2004. He also played college football for the East Carolina Pirates as a quarterback, running back and wide receiver.
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