Drug dealers sentenced for mailing fentanyl to Sioux City

SIOUX CITY, Iowa (KCAU) — Two men have been sentenced for mailing fentanyl to Sioux City for distribution.

According to a release from the U.S. Department of Justice, Aki Awou, 33, of Omaha, and Karom Bol, 20, of Sioux City, were both sentenced for their role in a conspiracy to distribute fentanyl, among other charges.

According to the release, Awou and Bol were both gang members between January and May of 2022. During that time, Awou traveled to Phoenix, Arizona where he would mail packages that contained thousands of fentanyl pills that had been disguised as oxycodone to Bol’s Sioux City address.

While investigating, the Omaha Police Department’s Gang Intelligence Unit used GPS tracking to monitor Awou’s travels and mailing activities, which included the fentanyl shipments. Through this, the packages were able to be intercepted and investigated. The DEA and Sioux City Police Department conducted a controlled delivery to one of the addresses.

After going to the address, police executed a search warrant. While searching the home, officers said they observed Bol throwing firearms out of a second-story window. A second address connected to the duo was also identified and officials found more evidence, including pills, at the second location.

Evidence used in the case included fingerprints that belonged to Awou being found on three of the packages as well as Bol’s palm print which was found on the package used during the controlled delivery. Officials estimate that the duo was responsible for nearly two pounds of fentanyl pills that were disguised as oxycodone.

Awou was sentenced for conspiracy to distribute fentanyl as well as two counts of possession with intent to distribute fentanyl. Awou was sentenced to 16 years in prison, after which he must serve a five-year supervised release term.

Bol was sentenced for conspiracy to distribute fentanyl, two counts of possession with intent to distribute fentanyl, possession of firearms by a drug user, and possession of a firearm during and in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime. Bol was sentenced to 15 years in prison and also must serve a five-year supervised release.

“Fentanyl is an incredibly dangerous illegal drug, and when people like Awou and Bol bring fentanyl to our community, they place our citizens at risk of serious harm and death,” United States Attorney Timothy Duax said in a statement. “Accordingly, we are grateful for the hard work and cooperation of federal and state law enforcement agencies in stopping these individuals and sending a clear message that fentanyl traffickers will be caught and severely punished in the Northern District of Iowa.”

This case was investigated by the Omaha Police Department, Sioux City Police Department, United States Postal Inspector, DEA Tri-State Drug Task Force, Lancaster County Sheriff’s Department and the ATF.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to SiouxlandProud | Sioux City, IA | News, Weather, and Sports.