Drug courier sentenced to prison

PITTSBURGH -- A New Castle woman involved in a narcotics ring will spend 11 years in federal prison.
U.S. Attorney Mary Beth Buchanan announced Thursday that Inez M. Lindsey, 50, formerly of Raymond Avenue, was sentenced in federal court on two convictions of violating federal drug laws. She also was ordered to serve five years' parole.
Lindsey is the sister of Roy Mercer, who was sentenced last week to 30 years in federal prison. Buchanan said Lindsey served as Mercer's conduit for money and cocaine in New Castle. Mercer's distribution ring operated between 1994 and 1999 in New Castle, Houston, Youngstown and Detroit.
In addition to storing money and cocaine in her home for Mercer, Lindsey also acted as a courier for him and directed other couriers, according to Buchanan.
Federal officials say Lindsey was responsible for the distribution of between 110 and 330 pounds of powder cocaine.
Authorities said events leading to the second charge of violating federal drug charges occurred while Lindsey was on bond after being arrested on conspiracy charges for her role in the Roy Mercer drug ring. On March 5, 2002, Lindsey sold about an ounce of crack cocaine to an individual at Lindsey's beauty shop, Pamper Me Pretty Too, in New Castle.
Lindsey will forfeit her beauty shop and home. She remains in federal custody.