A Westminster man faces a minimum of 10 years in prison after being found guilty of drug trafficking and firearms crimes, the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Maryland announced Friday.

A federal jury found 35-year-old Rodney Gaines guilty of conspiracy to distribute cocaine and cocaine base, two counts of distributing cocaine, as well as possessing firearms in connection with a drug-trafficking crime. Officials revealed they used wiretaps during the investigation, in which law enforcement recorded and monitored Gaines’ phone conversations and text messages.

The phone calls revealed Gaines selling cocaine to multiple customers, where cocaine was in coded phrases of “powder,” “8-balls,” “balls,” and the “sister,” as well as other phrases. Additionally, wiretaps showed that Gaines sold cocaine in conspiracy with accomplices, who were directed by Gaines to deliver the drug to other customers.

Gaines also prepared the cocaine by “cooking powder cocaine into crack,” and hid the drugs by burying them in wooded areas, the report mentioned.

At the end of the investigation, officials acquired over $250,000 in cash for drug proceeds in a storage unit that another member of the conspiracy owned, according to authorities.

During the two-and-a-half-week trial, evidence proved that Gaines’ drug activity involved firearms. In January 2022, Gaines attempted to buy two firearms from an accomplice, but law enforcement was able to intercept the firearms before they got to Gaines, as mentioned in the report.

Gaines faces up to life in prison with a mandatory minimum of 10 years for the narcotics conspiracy offense, as well as other counts, each punishable for up to 20 years.

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