RENO, Nev. - -A Reno man was sentenced this week to nine years in prison for distributing synthetic cannabinoids out of his convenience store and storing large quantities of the substance for distribution in his home.
Iqbal Singh-Sidhu, 34, was convicted by a federal jury in February 2014 of distribution and possession with intent to distribute controlled substances and its analogues intended for human consumption. It was the first federal jury trial of its kind in Nevada involving synthetic cannabinoids, commonly referred to as “spice."
According to court records and evidence introduced at trial, on four occasions in September 2012, Singh-Sidhu sold spice on what was labeled as “Diablo," “Hayze," “White Rhino," and “Smokin Dragon."
On Feb. 5, 2013, agents executed federal search warrants at Singh-Sidhu’s business and residence and recovered hundreds of packages of various types of “spice" packaged for distribution with an overall street value of $20,000.
Spice can have hallucinogenic effects on the central nervous system. Their physiological effects are stronger and more potent than those caused by marijuana.
The case was investigated by the Drug Enforcement Administration’s Reno Resident Office and Office of Diversion Control.
