Maya McIntosh, a 33-year-old resident of Albany, has entered a guilty plea to charges related to the manufacturing and distribution of synthetic cannabinoids disguised as legal mail sent to correctional institutions. The announcement was made by United States Attorney John A. Sarcone III, along with Ketty Larco-Ward from the United States Postal Inspection Service and Erin Keegan from Homeland Security Investigations.
The plea agreement reveals that McIntosh's activities began in January 2023 and continued until July 2024. During this period, she manufactured MDMB-4en-PINACA, a synthetic cannabinoid, by ordering chemicals shipped to her residence. She then created the substance in liquid form and applied it onto paper and envelopes. These items were sent through U.S. Priority Mail Express to inmates at various New York correctional facilities under the guise of legal mail.
McIntosh falsely used the names of real attorneys on return addresses without their consent to make the packages appear legitimate. She also utilized social media platforms to sell these MDMB-4en-PINACA-soaked papers.
For each count against her, McIntosh could face up to 20 years in prison and fines amounting up to $1 million for drug-related charges, with an additional $250,000 fine for other offenses. Sentencing will be determined by a judge considering relevant statutes and guidelines.
The investigation is being conducted by USPIS and HSI, while Assistant U.S. Attorney Matthew J. McCrobie is handling prosecution duties.
