ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. – A St. Petersburg man was sentenced Friday to more than 25 years in federal prison for his role in a drug trafficking conspiracy.
Cortez Haugabook, 34, also known as “Traffic,” was sentenced by U.S. District Judge Kathryn Kimball Mizelle to 25 years and 10 months in prison for conspiracy to distribute methamphetamine, fentanyl, and cocaine, as well as possession with intent to distribute those drugs. Haugabook had pleaded guilty to the charges in March 2024.
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According to court documents, Haugabook was a member of Bag Tawk Entertainment (BTE), a St. Petersburg-based organization that distributed narcotics. Haugabook and his co-conspirators used residences in Pinellas County to manufacture and sell drugs.
They even flaunted their illegal activities in online videos, featuring images of drug manufacturing and lyrics about drug production and sales.
Law enforcement conducted multiple searches of residences linked to BTE, seizing significant quantities of fentanyl, methamphetamine, cocaine, and firearms. During one search, Haugabook attempted to flush drugs down the toilet as agents executed the warrant.
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Haugabook’s co-conspirators, Torri McLaurin, Kristian Brown, and Javontah Harris, were previously sentenced for their roles in the conspiracy, receiving sentences ranging from 19 years and 7 months to 20 years.
This case was investigated by the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA), the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF), the Pinellas County Sheriff’s Office, and the St. Petersburg Police Department. Assistant United States Attorney Samantha E. Beckman prosecuted the case.
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