Two sentenced in cocaine distribution operation

MARTINSBURG, WEST VIRGINIA – Two Martinsburg men were sentenced today for their involvement with a multi-state drug trafficking operation, United States Attorney Bill Powell announced.

Kenneth Biermann-Ruz, of Martinsburg, West Virginia, age 29, was sentenced to five years probation. Biermann-Ruz pled guilty to one count of “Aiding and Abetting the Distribution of Cocaine” in September 2018. Biermann-Ruz admitted to selling cocaine in Berkeley County in October 2016.

Adam Bensaid, of Martinsburg, West Virginia, age 20, was sentenced to time served and three years supervised release. Bensaid pled guilty to one count of “Aiding and Abetting the Distribution of Cocaine” in September 2018. Bensaid admitted to selling cocaine in Berkeley County in January 2017.

Assistant U.S. Attorneys Shawn M. Adkins and Lara K. Omps-Botteicher prosecuted the cases on behalf of the government. The U.S. Attorney’s Office of the Western District of Virginia assisted. The investigation was led by the Drug Enforcement Administration, the Federal Bureau of Investigation, Homeland Security Investigations, the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, the United States Marshals Service, the Eastern Panhandle Drug & Violent Crimes Task Force, a HIDTA-funded initiative, the Potomac Highlands Drug & Violent Crimes Task Force, the Northwest Virginia Regional Drug & Gang Task Force , the West Virginia State Police, the Virginia State Police, the Berkeley County Sheriff’s Office, the Jefferson County Sheriff’s Office, the Martinsburg Police Department, the Charles Town Police Department, and the Ranson Police Department. Other agencies assisting in the investigation were the Winchester City Police Department; and Frederick County, Virginia Sheriff’s Office; Pittsylvania County, Virginia Sheriff’s Office; and the Henry County, Virginia Sheriff’s Office.

The investigation was funded in part by the federal Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Force Program (OCDETF). The OCDETF program supplies critical federal funding and coordination that allows federal and state agencies to work together to successfully identify, investigate, and prosecute major interstate and international drug trafficking organizations and other criminal enterprises.

Chief U.S. District Judge Gina M. Groh presided.