{"id":3910,"date":"2014-06-13T16:14:19","date_gmt":"2014-06-13T23:14:19","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/cjnotebook.com\/?p=3910"},"modified":"2014-06-13T16:59:00","modified_gmt":"2014-06-13T23:59:00","slug":"two-men-involved-one-largest-smuggling-rings-synthetic-narcotics-arrested-today","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/cjnotebook.com\/?p=3910","title":{"rendered":"Two Men Arrested for Allegedly Operating One of the Largest Synthetic Drug Smuggling Rings"},"content":{"rendered":"

SANTA ANA, CALIFORNIA<\/strong> \u2013 Two Orange County men trafficking in drugs commonly called “spice” and “bath salts” were arrested today and accused of being part of a “far-reaching conspiracy” to smuggle, manufacture and distribute narcotics, according to federal authorities.<\/p>\n

After a three-year investigation, federal agents arrested Sean Libbert<\/strong>, 38, of Newport Coast, and Kyle Kledzik,<\/strong> 26, of Dana Point, Agents said Libbert was the mastermind of a multimillion dollar synthetic drug ring.<\/p>\n

The two were named in a 16-count grand jury indictment and are expected to be arraigned today.<\/p>\n

The case against Libbert, Kledzik and four Chinese nationals focuses on the smuggling and distribution of cannabinoids, which include synthetic marijuana or \u201cspice,\u201d and synthetic cathinones, otherwise known as \u201cbath salts.”<\/a><\/p>\n

The indictment charges a series of criminal violations, including conspiracy to manufacture, possession with the intent to distribute, and distribution of controlled substance analogues. The indictment also alleges that the defendants smuggled chemical products and engaged in money laundering.<\/p>\n

Additionally, Libbert \u2013 who has prior convictions that include narcotics offenses \u2013 is accused of being a felon in possession of firearms and ammunition.<\/p>\n

Authorities believe Libbert\u2019s organization was one of the nation\u2019s largest importers and shippers of synthetic narcotics.<\/p>\n

\u201cThe use and distribution of synthetic drugs cause irreparable harm to our society,\u201d said IRS – Criminal Investigation Special Agent in Charge Erick Martinez.<\/p>\n

Claude Arnold, special agent in charge for Homeland Security Investigations of Los Angeles, said: \u201cCompounding the concern is the fact that the distributors of these dangerous synthetic drugs are packaging and marketing them to appeal to young people.”<\/p>\n

Adding, “For that reason, those involved in this emerging side of the illicit drug trade should be on notice, this may be the first federal prosecution of its kind in the greater Los Angeles area, but it will not be the last.\u201d<\/p>\n

According to the indictment, from March 2010 until July 2012, Libbert and his coconspirators smuggled more than 300 kilograms of chemicals into the U.S. at a cost of more than $1.4 million. The organization also allegedly purchased more than 300 kilograms of chemicals from domestic sources.<\/p>\n

As part of the scheme, the defendants allegedly formed a company called \u201cRCS Labs\u201d and used various Internet websites to sell more than $12 million worth of chemical products and analogue substances to people across the United States, including other distributors and individual users, officials allege.<\/p>\n

The ring is also accused of manufacturing its own synthetic marijuana, which they marketed and sold under the brand \u201cDa Kine Blend.\u201d<\/p>\n

According to the indictment, one customer who purchased approximately six grams of cannabinoids from the organization nearly died after ingesting the drug. Due to his prior criminal history, Libbert could face a mandatory minimum life sentence if convicted on this count.<\/p>\n

The indictment also charges four Chinese nationals who allegedly served as Libbert\u2019s suppliers. Three of the defendants reside in China and their full identities are unknown at this time. The fourth Chinese defendant, Jin Liu, 30, is in federal custody in Jacksonville, Florida, on unrelated narcotics charges.<\/p>\n

Authorities had previously \u00a0filed charges against three other individuals tied to the ring. Those cases are pending in federal court in Santa Ana.<\/p>\n

In July 2012, federal investigators executed multiple federal search warrants in connection with the case, resulting in the seizure of several luxury vehicles, hundreds of pounds of analogues, firearms and ammunition.<\/p>\n

In addition to the drug and firearms charges, Libbert is accused of laundering the profits of drug sales through various bank transactions and spending the proceeds to buy luxury vehicles, vacations and a $1.4 million home in San Juan Capistrano.<\/p>\n

As part of the indictment, the government is seeking the forfeiture of property and proceeds related to the scheme.<\/p>\n

So far, investigators have seized more than $1.1 million in assets connected to the case, including more than $700,000 in profits from the sale of Libbert\u2019s former San Juan Capistrano home.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

SANTA ANA, CALIFORNIA \u2013 Two Orange County men trafficking in drugs commonly called “spice” and “bath salts” were arrested today and accused of being part of a “far-reaching conspiracy” to smuggle, manufacture…<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":3918,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[7,16],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-3910","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-courts","category-home-main-slider"],"yoast_head":"\nTwo Arrested for Smuggling Synthetic Drugs<\/title>\n<meta name=\"description\" content=\"SANTA ANA, CALIFORNIA \u2013 Two Orange County men trafficking in drugs commonly called "spice" and "bath salts" were arrested today and accused of being part\" \/>\n<meta name=\"robots\" content=\"index, follow, max-snippet:-1, max-image-preview:large, max-video-preview:-1\" \/>\n<link rel=\"canonical\" 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