The alleged leader of a fentanyl pill trafficking operation, Rahkim T. Franklin, appeared in federal court today in Charlotte, North Carolina. U.S. Attorney for the Western District of North Carolina, Dena J. King, announced the proceedings before U.S. Magistrate Judge David C. Keesler.
Franklin, 31, is facing charges of conspiracy to distribute and possess with intent to distribute fentanyl and possession with intent to distribute fentanyl. The announcement was made in collaboration with Bennie Mims from the ATF's Charlotte Field Division, Roger “Chip” Hawley from the North Carolina State Bureau of Investigation (SBI), and Sheriff Aaron Ellenburg from the Rutherford County Sheriff’s Office.
According to allegations presented in court and detailed in the indictment, Franklin led a drug operation between November 2022 and March 2024 that manufactured and distributed significant quantities of fentanyl pills around Mecklenburg County. A house in Charlotte served as the central location for this pill press operation.
A federal search warrant executed on March 7, 2024, led investigators to seize an electric pill press, over 500 grams of vacuum-sealed fentanyl, nearly 1,000 fentanyl tablets, more than 30 pounds of fentanyl mixed with suspected pill binder materials, along with other production-related paraphernalia. The investigation found that Franklin and his associates were making these pills resemble prescription Oxycodone based on their color and imprint.
After today's hearing, Franklin was remanded into custody. Both charges against him carry a mandatory minimum sentence of ten years and could lead to a life sentence if convicted.
The charges are currently allegations; Franklin remains innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in court.
The case is being investigated by the ATF, SBI, and Rutherford County Sheriff’s Office. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Lawrence Cameron and Tom Kent are handling prosecution duties for this case.