CAMDEN, N.J. - A New York man is scheduled to appear in court today on charges of selling dangerous designer drugs, fentanyl, and oxycodone over the Internet, U.S. Attorney Craig Carpenito announced.
Shadab Chowdhury, 26, of Brooklyn, New York, is charged by complaint with eight counts of distributing and possessing with intent to distribute synthetic cannabinoids; one count of distributing and possessing with intent to distribute fentanyl; and one count of distributing and possessing with intent to distribute oxycodone. He was arrested Aug. 20, 2018, and appeared in Brooklyn federal court. He is scheduled to appear today before U.S. Magistrate Judge Joel Schneider in Camden federal court.
According to documents filed in this case and statements made in court:
Chowdhury allegedly distributed synthetic cannabinoids, fentanyl, and oxycodone over two years by communicating with customers over three Internet websites, two email accounts, and text messages. His customers included undercover law enforcement officers located in New Jersey, New York, Kansas, North Carolina, South Dakota, West Virginia, Georgia, Ohio, Alaska, California, and Virginia.
Chowdhury allegedly arranged and coordinated shipments of synthetic cannabinoids, which he termed “fire" or “spice," as well as shipments of fentanyl and oxycodone. He also prepared the drugs to make them more potent and negotiated pricing on the drugs. To avoid law enforcement, Chowdhury deliberately misbranded the synthetic cannabinoids and referred to the oxycodone and fentanyl in code. He received payments for his drug shipments via credit card payments, Western Union, direct bank deposit, and cryptocurrency.
Each of the 10 charges in the complaint carries a maximum potential penalty of 20 years in prison and a $1 million fine.
U.S. Attorney Craig Carpenito credited special agents with the Drug Enforcement Administration’s Tactical Diversion Squad in the Camden Resident Office, under the direction of Special Agent in Charge Valerie A. Nickerson, with the investigation leading to today’s arrest.
The charges and allegations in the complaint are merely accusations, and Chowdhury is considered innocent unless and until proven guilty.
The government is represented by Assistant United States Attorney Sara A. Aliabadi of the U.S. Attorney’s Office Criminal Division in Camden.
Defense counsel: Christopher O’Malley Esq., Assistant Federal Public Defender, Camden
Source: U.S. Department of Justice, Office of the United States Attorneys
