 The United States Attorney Office in the Northern District of New York state issued a press release detailing an elaborate multi state and multi year marijuana smuggling operation.
The joint investigation was also helped by the U.S. Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, the DEA, the Troy Police Dept, and the Department of Homeland Security. In all, twenty-four defendants have been charged with marijuana distribution, money laundering, firearms, and related offenses in a 99 page indictment. The alleged events took place between at least 2016 and June 2022. Perpetrators shipped thousands of kilograms of marijuana, as well as some edibles, from a small shipping store in Fresno, California, to locations throughout the United States, including the Capital Region of New York, where these charges were filed. The marijuana was shipped in packages which were delivered by UPS and FedEx to recipients, who would then take them to so-called “knock spots,” where the they were then sold through a slot in the door. The proceeds from sales were allegedly laundered through a variety of means, including money transfers, money orders, cashier’s checks, cash deposits into various bank accounts, and the direct transportion of cash, including nearly $180 in cash seized from one woman at the Albany International Airport. Some of the proceeds were also used on real estate transactions, and property renovations. For example, one person purchased a house for just $9000 in 2016, spent cash to renovate, and then sold the property in 2020 for $250,000. This of course would be ‘clean’ laundered money. $300,000 in cash and funds, several vehicles, over $500,000 worth of jewelry, luxury items, and firearms that included large-caliber rifles, handguns, and ammunition. Comments are closed.
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