Man sentenced to prison in ND drug conspiracy

FARGO, N.D. (AP) — A man has been sentenced to 11 years in prison for his role in a wide-ranging drug conspiracy tabbed “Operation Budapest.”

Bruce Applegren was charged in federal court with conspiracy to possess with intent to deliver a controlled substance. He pleaded guilty in September.

Authorities say the conspiracy spanned from California and Nebraska to Minnesota and North Dakota. At least 15 people have been indicted in the case.

The 50-year-old Applegren faced a mandatory minimum sentence of 20 years in prison because of a prior drug conviction. His attorney argued for a sentenced of 10 years because Applegren was not a major player in the conspiracy and cooperated with authorities.

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