{Louisville, Kentucky}...Federal officials say they have broken up what could be the largest drug ring in Louisville. Michael A. McCarthy Jr., in his 20s, a contract commercial cleaner who lives in Spencer County, is accused of leading a drug operation that transported huge quantities of cocaine from Mexican drug cartel representatives in southern California and distributed 953 kilograms of cocaine, more than a ton, from December 2008 through February 2010. When the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration and Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives finally broke it up through an investigation dubbed “Operation Across the Pond,” authorities seized 41 kilograms of powder cocaine, 1 kilo of crack cocaine, an arsenal of 18 firearms and $4 million in cash. Thirteen of the 26 defendants indicted have pleaded guilty, including McCarthy. Facing a potential sentence of life in prison, McCarthy struck a deal in June in hopes of a lighter sentence. A sentencing date hasn't yet been scheduled. Cocaine was transported in 18-wheelers and race-car haulers and stored in three stash houses located near the Watterson and Gene Snyder expressways. The organization bought and sold as much as 100 kilos a month at about $30,000 a kilo.
