The following is a news release from the Office of the United States Attorney, District of Arizona.

MGN Online

PHOENIX - Larry Wayne Nunley, 55, of Reidsville, N.C., was sentenced here on May 7, 2008, by U.S. District Court Judge Frederick J. Martone to 78 months in federal prison. Nunley was found guilty on April 19, 2007 of Conspiracy To Possess With Intent to Distribute Marijuana, Possession With Intent to Distribute Marijuana and Conspiracy to Commit Money Laundering following his indictment and a three-day federal trial.

On February 5, 2005, Nunley, a long haul truck driver, transported cash proceeds generated from the sale and distribution of large quantities of marijuana in the Midwest to Arizona where he delivered it to other members of the conspiracy. These drug trafficking proceeds were concealed in a spare truck tire Nunley carried on his flatbed trailer. On February 6, 2005, the day after delivering the drug trafficking proceeds, Nunley’s truck was loaded with 997 kilograms (approximately 2,197 pounds) of marijuana in Phoenix. Later that day Nunley was stopped by Arizona Department of Public Safety in Navajo County, Ariz. The marijuana was seized during that traffic stop.

Per the Drug Enforcement Administration, the approximate street value (per pound) of 2,197 lbs. of marijuana in Arizona is $934,000 but the approximate street value (per pound) in the Midwest, its intended destination, is $2.8 million.

The investigation preceding the indictment was conducted by Special Agents of the Internal Revenue Service, Criminal Investigation and the Drug Enforcement Administration, with the assistance of the Arizona Department of Public Safety. The prosecution was handled by Glenn McCormick and Brian Larson, Assistant U.S. Attorneys, District of Arizona, Phoenix.