MIAMI (CBS4) – Fugitive Robert Hawkins, a convicted drug dealer from the days of the cocaine cowboys, is the latest target of the South Florida Fugitive Task Force.

Hawkins was let out of federal prison on parole more than half a decade ago, and never went back.  He’s believed to be splitting his time between South Florida, where he has extensive family ties, and North Carolina.   Hawkins was convicted in three separate federal drug cases from 1979 to 1982 involving the distribution of heroin and cocaine, and threatening a witness.

Hawkins was sentenced to 35 years in prison, but only served about 15 before getting paroled.

After his first release on parole in 1997, U.S. Marshals say Hawkins couldn’t resist getting involved in the only trade he knew well.

“He was arrested in Naples, FL in 2004 in a large scale heroin distribution case,” said Deputy U.S. Marshal Barry Golden. “Since he was still on parole, that meant he violated his terms of supervision and was going back to prison.”

Hawkins was returned to prison and paroled again in 2007.

“Less than 5-months after being on supervised release, Hawkins took off from his address of record and failed to report to his parole officer,” said Golden.

Hawkins is now the subject of a federal parole violation warrant.   Marshals say they believe he has returned to drug trafficking as they say they have information he was involved in the 2010 “rip off” of another Miami suspected drug dealer for $5000.00.

Based on his criminal history,  U.S. Marshals say Hawkins should be considered armed and extremely dangerous. Anyone with information about his whereabouts is urged to call (877) WANTED-2.