U-S District Judge Michael McCuskey handed a Paxton man a 30-year prison term Wednesday. 32-year-old Eddi "Migo" Ramirez was labeled a ringleader in drug-trafficking circles. Federal prosecutors said Ramirez master-minded a drug network, importing large amounts of cocaine and heroin from Mexico for distribution throughout Central Illinois.

Judge McCuskey called the 32-year-old Ramirez an "All-Star" in the game of drug dealing, adding that this was the biggest drug case he has presided over in his 26 years as a judge.

Assistant U.S. Attorney Timothy Bass, who prosecuted Ramirez and 13 co-defendants in the U.S. Court's Central District of Illinois, said Ramirez is the largest drug dealer in some 20 years.

A 12-member jury convicted Ramirez in February of conspiracy to distribute cocaine and distribution of cocaine — charges that could have landed him in prison for the rest of his life.

94.1 WGFA