Fugitive sentenced to 27 years for drug crimes in Kansas

Federal authorities say a 36-year-old man who was a fugitive for six years has been sentenced to 27 years in prison and has to forfeit $13 million from drug trafficking in Kansas.

The office of the U.S. attorney for Kansas says Yehia Hassen was sentenced Friday. He pleaded guilty earlier to conspiracy to distribute cocaine and marijuana, and attempted money laundering. In his plea, he admitted he was part of a drug trafficking organization that operated in Kansas City, Kansas.

Prosecutors say Hassen received more than 100 kilograms of cocaine.

The prosecutor’s office says Hassen fled federal authorities six years ago when he was released while awaiting sentencing and that he was arrested in Cyprus in April.