Synthetic drugs manufactured by the owner of “Smokes 4 Less" smoke shops
Acting United States Attorney Gregory G. Brooker announced the sentencing of OMAR ZIAD WAZWAZ, 35, and VLADIMIR VLADIMIROVIC BRIK, 27, for conspiring to distribute synthetic cannabinoids. WAZWAZ and BRIK, who were charged in a superseding indictment on Sept. 15, 2015, both pleaded guilty to one count of conspiracy to distribute and possession with intent to distribute controlled substance analogues. BRIK also pleaded guilty to one count of conspiracy to commit money laundering. WAZWAZ and BRIK were sentenced on May 24, 2017, and June 23, 2017, respectively, before Judge Susan Richard Nelson in U.S. District Court in St. Paul, Minn. Six additional defendants were also charged in this case as part of the same synthetic drug trafficking conspiracy, pleaded guilty, and have been sentenced by the Court.
“It is important for the public to know that all synthetic drugs, including the synthetic cannabinoids involved in this case, are illegal and extremely dangerous," said Acting U.S. Attorney Brooker. “I want to thank the investigators and prosecutors who have worked diligently to keep Minnesotans safe by shutting this down."
“Smokable synthetic drugs known more commonly as “Spice" and “K2" have plagued Minnesota and the nation for years," said DEA Minneapolis-St. Paul Division Assistant Special Agent in Charge Kenneth Solek. “The brand developed and marketed by the Wazwaz/Brik drug trafficking organization, known as ‘Kryptonite’ was marketed as a safe and harmless substance. In reality, these drugs contain dangerous chemicals that put users at an extreme risk of suffering adverse health consequences, including death. These drugs have no place in our society. The DEA is committed to protecting society from dangerous drugs and will continue to pursue peddlers of synthetic drugs and hold them accountable for the harms they cause."
“This investigation could not have been accomplished without the law enforcement community working together to dismantle this organization. IRS Criminal Investigation, along with its law enforcement partners and the U.S. Attorney’s Office, worked tirelessly to stop this massive synthetic drug ring from making and selling more illicit drugs", stated Acting Special Agent in Charge Hubbard Burgess of the IRS Criminal Investigation St. Paul Field Office. Hopefully, the lengthy sentences these defendants received will deter others from committing similar crimes."
According to the defendants’ guilty pleas and documents filed in court, WAZWAZ, BRIK and their coconspirators imported pure synthetic cannabinoids from overseas using intentionally false U.S. Customs declarations forms, manufactured Smokable Synthetic Cannabinoids (“SSCs") by combining those chemicals with herbal material, and then marketed the SSCs in misbranded packages that falsely claimed the drugs were “not for human consumption." The conspiracy’s “Kryptonite" brand of SSCs retailed through Wazwaz’s smoke shops in Minnesota and elsewhere, and online through websites such as www.herbz4less.com, wholesaled by phone and mail order to retailers throughout the United States. Additionally, as part of the conspiracy, BRIK and others transferred by wire transfers, credit card transactions, and PayPal payments tens of thousands of dollars to locations outside the United States to pay for the synthetic cannabinoids and other supplies. The conspiracy manufactured and distributed approximately 2,408 kilograms of SSCs, yielding approximately $9,720,032 in gross sales revenue for the coconspirators.
To date, all eight members of the conspiracy have pleaded guilty and have been sentenced.
This case is the result of an investigation conducted by the Minnesota River Valley Drug Task Force, the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration, the Internal Revenue Service - Criminal Investigation Division, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration, U.S. Customs and Border Protection, and Homeland Security Investigations.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Surya Saxena prosecuted this case.
Defendant Information:
OMAR ZIAD WAZWAZ, 35
New Brighton, Minn.
Charges:
* Conspiracy to Distribute and Possession with Intent to Distribute Controlled Substance Analogues, 1 count
Sentenced:
*
118 months in prison
* Three years of supervised release
VLADIMIR VLADIMIROVIC BRIK, 27
Duluth, Minn.
Charges:
*
Conspiracy to Distribute and Possession with Intent to Distribute Controlled Substance Analogues, 1 count
* Money Laundering Conspiracy, 1 count
Sentenced:
*
118 months in prison
*
Three years of supervised release
Source: U.S. Department of Justice, Office of the United States Attorneys
