BILLINGS - Authorities believe cocaine is overtaking methamphetamine as the drug of choice in Billings.

The list of recent high profile cocaine cases U.S. Attorney Bill Mercer has prosecuted grew even larger this week as several former Billings Outlaws players and coaches were charged with distributing it around the community. Mercer says over the past few years he's witnessed firsthand a dramatic change in the Billings drug trade landscape.

"Cocaine is clearly up in terms of supply and demand," said Mercer. "As meth has gone dramatically down, cocaine has gone up."

Mercer believes the Montana Meth Project has greatly benefited the state and the war on drugs, however its not stopping all drug use, and he says some statistics are showing a disturbing trend. "Cocaine is clearly the drug of choice," said Mercer.

He hopes this weeks arrests along with the other successful high-profile prosecutions send the message that cocaine will not be tolerated in the community and he points to the stiff penalties associated with the drug charges that now have several former athletes looking at anywhere from 5-to-40 years in prison.

Former Denver Bronco running back Travis Henry is currently serving a 3-year sentence for his role in a cocaine ring. Former Carbon County Attorney Bob Eddleman is serving 30 months for hosting cocaine parties at houses in Red Lodge and Billings.