Detroit man convicted in cocaine seizure in 2022

A Detroit man was convicted by a west Michigan jury last week on drug charges stemming from an incident in 2022, the U.S. Attorney's Office announced Tuesday.

Joseph Michael McNoriell, 43, also known as "Mike X," was convicted Thursday by a jury after a three-day trial, said U.S. Attorney Mark Totten of the Western District of Michigan in a news release. McNoriell was found guilty of conspiracy to distribute cocaine and heroin, and possession with intent to distribute cocaine.

"These illegal substances destroy lives and devastate communities," Totten said. "We will never prosecute our way out of this problem, but we will continue our work to dismantle the regional-level supply lines that distribute drugs across Michigan."

Evidence at trial showed McNoriell worked with others to deliver 2 kilograms of cocaine from southeast Michigan to Lansing.

Prosecutors said McNoriell used a female drug courier and followed her in his car to deliver the 2 kilograms on June 2, 2022.

The kilograms were seized from the woman's car by Drug Enforcement Administration investigators and Michigan State Police troopers, who anticipated the delivery, according to the U.S. Attorney's Office.

"This investigation emphasizes the mission of the DEA: combatting criminal drug networks like the one Mr. McNoriell was involved in," said Orville Greene, DEA special agent in charge. "Along with our local, state and federal partners, we will relentlessly pursue individuals and organizations who prioritize greed and profit over human lives."

McNoriell's sentencing is scheduled for Aug. 7, the U.S. Attorney's Office said.