A Broomfield, Colorado man has been sentenced to four years in prison for distributing ibogaine, a psychedelic substance classified as a Schedule I controlled substance in the United States. Ameen Alai, also known as Adam Powars, 52, pleaded guilty to one count of distribution of a mixture and substance containing a detectable amount of ibogaine.
According to court documents, from April 2019 to March 2021, Alai promoted ibogaine as a way to "reset" the body’s "receptors" to help break addictive behaviors. In March 2021, he distributed doses of ibogaine to an individual in Broomfield and supervised their use of the drug. Alai left the person unattended for some time; when he returned, the individual was unresponsive and later died. At sentencing, the court determined that the ibogaine provided by Alai caused the person's death.
United States Attorney Peter McNeilly stated: "As the tragic results of Mr. Alai’s conduct make clear, ibogaine is dangerous. We want the public to know that, like many of the more well-known drugs in our community, taking ibogaine can have deadly consequences."
DEA Rocky Mountain Special Agent in Charge David S. Olesky commented: "This sentence underscores the devastating impact of illegal drug trafficking while also serving as a reminder that those who profit from poisoning our communities will be held accountable for the lives lost to their actions. Make no mistake, if someone knowingly and intentionally distributes a controlled substance that results in death, we will seek justice."
The case was overseen by United States District Judge Charlotte N. Sweeney. The Drug Enforcement Administration led the investigation, with prosecution handled by Assistant United States Attorneys Alyssa C. Mance and Michael F. Houlihan.
