Two North Carolina men were sentenced Friday in Hot Springs federal court on charges of conspiracy to distribute cocaine.
Eddie Smith, 29, of Garner, N.C., and Michael Brooks, 29, of Raleigh, N.C., were sentenced to a combined 10 years, three months in prison for their crimes, a news release from United States Attorney Conner Eldridge states.
Smith received a five-year, three month sentence, while Brooks received five years in prison. Both men received an additional four years of supervision upon release.
Brooks and Smith were apprehended April 6, 2012, when an Arkansas state trooper observed two vehicles speeding on Interstate 30. The trooper stopped one vehicle, and upon searching it found 1.5 kilograms of cocaine. He then alerted troopers to stop the second vehicle, in which were Brooks and Smith.
An investigation revealed the occupants of the vehicles were collaboratively transporting the drugs to North Carolina from Texas.
Brooks and Smith were originally charged with a two-count indictment on Aug. 22 before pleading guilty Jan. 17 to the first count.