MISSOULA - Ernie K. Fulford, 47, of Bigfork will spend six and a half years in prison on federal drug charges.

Chief U.S. District Judge Donald Molloy in Missoula also put Fulford on five years' supervised release.

Fulford pleaded guilty to conspiracy to distribute cocaine and possession with intent to distribute cocaine. He could have been sentenced to up to 60 years in prison.

From December 2003 and April 2004, a Bigfork acquaintance of Fulford's, Lester Hopkins, sold about 85 grams cocaine to an undercover narcotics officer. Agents conducting surveillance at the sales realized that Hopkins met with or telephoned Fulford around the times of the sales. Based on the timing of the calls and meetings, agents believed that Fulford was probably the source of cocaine. They obtained a search warrant for Fulford's home and discovered approximately 6.4 pounds of cocaine hidden there.

From the home and Fulford's truck officers also reportedly seized 3 pounds of marijuana, 300 pills of 20 types of prescription drugs, hashish and psilocybin mushrooms, along with guns and $3,800.

The arrest followed a seven-month investigation by the Northwest Drug Task Force, the State Department of Criminal Investigation, and Adult Probation and Parole Office.

Fulford has a prior conviction for cocaine trafficking in Florida in 1997. He reportedly told investigators he moved his family to Montana because of its low crime rate.

His wife, Angela Fulford, was charged with a probation violation from Florida. Hopkins was charged with four counts of distributing dangerous drugs for sales that he allegedly made in November, December, January and March.

Assistant U.S. Attorney Josh Van de Wetering prosecuted the case.