An international heroin trafficking ring has been put to rest, as Edward “Cujoe Opoku” MaCauley, 61, of Ghana, pleaded guilty to leading the illegal smuggling operation.

U.S. District Judge James C. Cacheris accepted the plea on Jan. 17. MaCauley was indicted on April 28, 2011.

MaCauley used couriers to smuggle multiple kilograms of heroin from Ghana into the U.S., according to the U.S. Attorney’s Office. He faces a mandatory minimum 10-year penalty for conspiring to import heroin and a maximum sentence of life in prison. He will be sentenced on April 6.

MaCauley recruited couriers to hide heroin in carry-on bags and wigs while traveling through Washington Dulles International Airport. The organization paid the couriers and provided airfare, passports and hotel accommodations, according to court documents.

Of nine individuals charged as members of the drug ring, four have pleaded guilty.

The Drug Enforcement Administration conducted this investigation.