{"id":14698,"date":"2015-08-16T20:36:39","date_gmt":"2015-08-17T03:36:39","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/cjnotebook.com\/?p=14698"},"modified":"2015-08-16T20:39:08","modified_gmt":"2015-08-17T03:39:08","slug":"three-guilty-of-illegally-importing-spice-from-china-to-make-synthetic-marijuana","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/cjnotebook.com\/?p=14698","title":{"rendered":"Three Guilty of Illegally of Importing “Spice” from China to Make Synthetic Marijuana"},"content":{"rendered":"

FLORIDA<\/strong><\/p>\n

\n

\"courtroom_02\"<\/a>This week three Tampa residents plead guilty for their involvement in a conspiracy to import a synthetic cannabinoid, XLR-11, a\/k\/a \u201cSpice,\u201d and paraphernalia to the U.S. from China, officials said.<\/p>\n

On Tuesday, August 11, 2015, Ahmed Yehia Khalifa,<\/strong> 28, and Ahmed Maher Elhelw<\/strong>, 25, both from Tampa, plead guilty to conspiracy to import a controlled substance, and conspiracy to manufacture, possess with intent to manufacture and distribute a substance.<\/p>\n

The defendants agreed to the forfeiture of assets totaling $472,780. \u00a0Each offense carries a maximum penalty of 20 years in prison, according to authorities.<\/p>\n

On Wednesday, \u00a0Tanjina Islam Piya<\/strong>, 24, of Tampa, plead guilty to conspiracy to import drug paraphernalia.\u00a0 The defendant also agreed to the forfeiture of assets totaling $157,158.80 and real property in St. Petersberg, Florida.\u00a0 The offense carries a maximum penalty of 3 years in prison.<\/p>\n

A fourth co-defendant, Saiful Hossain<\/strong>, is set for trial August 24. He has pleaded not guilty.<\/p>\n

Authorities said the investigation revealed that the controlled substances had been shipped from China.<\/p>\n

The court record indicates that an organic \u201ccarrier\u201d medium, such as the herb-like substance damiana leaf and\/or marshmallow leaf, which is then typically sprayed or mixed with a synthetic cannabinoid chemical compound which mimics the pharmacological effect of a controlled substance, officials said.<\/p>\n

According to court records, Homeland Security Investigations, along with other law enforcement agencies, in Florida, have been investigating individuals who are importing illegal \u201csmokable synthetic cannabinoids” and drug paraphernalia.<\/p>\n

On November 7, 2014, Homeland Security agents arrested Elhelw in Vero Beach and recovered a more than six pounds of the controlled substance XLR-11, a chemical used in the manufacture of synthetic cannabinoids.<\/p>\n

Further investigation revealed that as a result of the conspiracy, at least seven parcels, containing more than six pounds each of XLR-11, were imported into Florida, with a street value of approximately $5.4 million, officials said.<\/p>\n

On May 19, 2015, federal search warrants were executed at various locations, including residences, a storage facility, and safe deposit boxes.<\/p>\n

At the home shared by Hossain and Piya, agents recovered documentary evidence of the importation of \u201cSpice\u201d and drug paraphernalia. After having received consent from Hossain, law enforcement searched a storage facility and found drug paraphernalia and approximately 6.27 pounds of green leafy product.<\/p>\n

Agents seized ledgers listing \u201cSpice\u201d brands and amounts, as well as jars, containing a mixture of containing 5-fluoro ABICA, an analogue intended for human consumption, from Khalifa\u2019s residence.<\/p>\n

At the homes of Piya\/Hossain, Elhelw and Khalifa, agents also seized money.<\/p>\n

On June 12, agents executed a federal search warrant at a residence connected to Khalifa and Hossain.<\/p>\n

Agents seized numerous kilograms of leafy product, containing a mixture of XLR-11 and PB-22; bottles of FUB-PB-22 and drug paraphernalia, officials said.<\/p>\n

Officials said this organic \u201ccarrier\u201d is then commonly sprayed with a tobacco flavoring such as strawberry, blueberry, or pineapple, in order to mask the harsh chemical taste upon ingestion.<\/p>\n

Currently, officials said there are hundreds of synthetic cannabinoid compounds.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

FLORIDA This week three Tampa residents plead guilty for their involvement in a conspiracy to import a synthetic cannabinoid, XLR-11, a\/k\/a \u201cSpice,\u201d and paraphernalia to the U.S. from China, officials said. 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