The Wyoming Division of Criminal Investigation has uncovered a cocaine distribution scheme in Jackson involving more than 7 pounds of cocaine and about $30,000, according to court documents that became public this week.
Marlon Forrest, a Jamaican man who lived in Jackson for years then moved this winter to North Carolina, is accused of directing the operation from his new home.
The U.S. Attorney for Wyoming charged Forrest in January with conspiracy to distribute cocaine, a felony punishable by up to 20 years in prison and up to $1 million in fines. Court documents in the case became public this week after Forrest appeared in federal court Tuesday for his initial appearance.
Grocery Store
The Wyoming Division of Criminal Investigation (DCI) southwest enforcement team started investigating cocaine trafficking in Jackson in November, the affidavit says.
One confidential informant reportedly revealed a plan to buy cocaine from Forrest’s courier Dec. 1, 2023.
Forrest allegedly directed the informant — whom he knew as a customer — to meet the cocaine courier in the Smith’s parking lot in Jackson.
The courier would get $500; the customer would wire Forrest $8,000 in exchange for about 0.6 pounds of cocaine, the affidavit says, adding that the exchange happened Dec. 1 as planned.
The Distribution Center
The next day, the informant introduced Forrest to a DCI agent who was posing as a customer.
Forrest agreed to sell the new “customer” cocaine, allegedly. The courier brought 56 grams (about 0.12 pounds) of cocaine to the grocery store parking lot Dec. 19, in exchange for $2,500, says the affidavit.
The affidavit lists two more exchanges between the agent and Forrest’s courier: 0.56 pounds for $7,850 on Jan. 3; 1 pound for $9,000 on Jan. 23.
Agents executed a search warrant for the courier’s home Jan. 23 and allegedly found 2.26 kilograms – or 5 pounds – of presumptive-positive cocaine.
One DCI special agent spotted an SUV with Arizona plates in the Alpine, Wyoming, area that same week, as ping results for Forrest’s cellphone number also traced to Alpine, the affidavit says.
Forrest had rented an SUV from Hertz that week, DCI reportedly learned.
Clair McFarland can be reached at clair@cowboystatedaily.com.
