Brothers convicted in drug trafficking case

LOUISVILLE, Ky. - Authorities say two brothers face life in prison after being convicted of conspiring to supply cocaine from a Mexican drug cartel to a Louisville drug ring.

The Courier-Journal reports a jury found Abel and Ramon Flores guilty earlier this week after deliberating about an hour.

They are accused of supplying the drug to an organization led by Michael A. McCarthy Jr. in a scheme in which 26 people have been convicted. Prosecutors say the organization distributed more than a ton of cocaine from 2008 to 2010.

McCarthy, who pleaded guilty, testified against the two brothers, who prosecutors said moved the drug to Louisville from Southern California.

Court-approved wiretaps show the product was transported in 18-wheelers and race-car haulers and stored it in three stash houses near the Watterson and Gene Snyder expressways.

U.S. Attorney David Hale said in a statement that the "convictions illustrate the importance of law enforcement collaboration across jurisdictional lines."

"Their combined efforts curtailed a violent interstate drug organization," he said. "Our communities are safer as a result."

The brothers face from 10 years to life in prison and a fine of up to $10 million.