ALEXANDRIA, Va. — The leader of a Ghana-based drug-smuggling ring who shipped drugs to the United States through D.C.-area airports has pleaded guilty.

Edward Mcauley (aka Cudjoe Opoku), 61, pleaded guilty in federal court in Alexandria to conspiring to import heroin. He led an international heroin ring that targeted the mid-Atlantic by sending heroin with couriers who flew into Washington Dulles International Airport, according to prosecutors and court documents.

The organization recruited couriers to hide heroin in suitcases, bags and wigs. Court records say the ring operated from about September 2010 to June 2011. The amount of drugs the organization sent to the United States isn't known, but authorities have said couriers would carry up to $250,000 in heroin at a time.

Nine people have been charged and four have pleaded guilty, prosecutors said.

Macauley is scheduled to be sentenced on April 6. He could receive up to life in prison and faces a mandatory minimum sentence of 10 years behind bars