Louisiana man sentenced in Oklahoma to 2 ½ years in federal prison in international multimillion dollar K2 conspiracy
Also forfeited to the US government more than $3.6 million in cash and property
TULSA, Okla. — A Louisiana man was sentenced Friday to 30 months in federal prison for conspiracy to smuggle synthetic marijuana and conspiracy to commit money laundering,
This sentence was announced by Acting U.S. Attorney Loretta F. Radford, Northern District of Oklahoma. This investigation was conducted by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) Homeland Security Investigations (HSI), Internal Revenue Service’s Criminal Investigation (IRS-CI) and the Tulsa County Sheriff’s Office (TCSO).
The conviction of Tim Minh Tran, 44, of Baton Rouge, Louisiana, stemmed from his role in leading an organization responsible for smuggling more than 200 kilograms of synthetic cannabinoids into the United States from China. Tran used these smuggled cannabinoids to manufacture and sell more than $21 million of synthetic marijuana, also known as “K2.” The distribution network spanned more than six states, including: Oklahoma, Louisiana, Texas, New Mexico, Nevada and California. Tran also laundered millions of dollars derived from the sale of the illegal synthetic cannabinoids.
In addition to his prison sentence, a $3,675,000 criminal forfeiture money judgment was entered against Tran. In lieu of forfeiting the real property at 16750 Centurion Ave., Baton Rouge, Tran instead forfeited $1 million; in lieu of forfeiting the real property at 8556 Scotland Ave., Baton Rouge, Tran forfeited $150,000; in lieu of forfeiting the real property at 4000 Florida Blvd., Baton Rouge, Tran forfeited $50,000. Tran also forfeited the following U.S. currency and vehicles: $25,525 seized from 8556 Scotland Ave., Baton Rouge, $15,773 seized from 4000 Florida Blvd., Baton Rouge, a 2007 Ferrari and a 2008 Isuzu truck.
In April 2011, U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) Homeland Security Investigations (HSI), the Internal Revenue Service-Criminal Investigation (IRS-CI), and the Tulsa County Sheriff’s Office (TCSO) launched the large-scale investigation that had connections to multiple states. The criminal organization falsified invoices and waybills to smuggle the synthetic cannabinoids from China, which Tran and others then used to make the synthetic marijuana.
HSI, IRS-CI and TCSO conducted enforcement actions in eight cities across five different states resulting in the indictment of 13 individuals involved in the conspiracy. To date, eight co-defendants have been sentenced. Tran was the most recent co-conspirator to be sentenced.
“This long-term investigation took down several large synthetic drug manufacturers throughout the United States. The manufacture and distribution of synthetic drugs are a serious health threat that is especially dangerous to the young people of our communities,” said Acting U.S. Attorney Radford.
“Tran and his coconspirators got rich by importing thousands of pounds of dangerous drugs into the United States,” said Katrina Berger, special agent in charge of HSI Dallas. “Our multiagency investigation with IRS and the Tulsa County Sheriff’s Office puts Tran and other dope smugglers on notice that their crimes will not go unnoticed or unpunished.”
“These synthetic drugs are sold with harmless sounding names such as ‘Mr. Happy,’ to youth who are typically unaware of the harmful chemicals they are ingesting. The chemicals in these drugs imported from China are not approved for human consumption and have led to psychotic episodes, kidney failure, brain damage, suicidal thoughts and even death.”
Tulsa County Sheriff Vic Regalado stated, “The successful conclusion of this investigation represents what can be achieved when law enforcement, the medical community, educators and concerned parents come together for the welfare of our children. Synthetic cannabinoids are unpredictably dangerous and can be deadly. The Tulsa County Sheriff's Office values our partnership with HSI. We are dedicated to continuing this partnership to ensure the safety of the citizens we serve."
IRS-CI Special Agent in Charge for the Dallas Field Office Tamera Cantu, stated, “Synthetic drugs represent a serious public health problem and are generally marketed toward teens and young adults. The consumption of these illegal substances endangers young people around the country and can result in serious health issues, including death. IRS-CI is committed to working with our law enforcement partners to protect the public and to dismantle the drug organizations that promote the use of these toxic chemicals for their own financial gain.”
This prosecution is part of the Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Force (OCDETF) and High Intensity Drug Trafficking Area (HIDTA) programs.
Acting U.S. Attorney Loretta Radford, Assistant U.S. Attorneys Joseph F. Wilson and Catherine J. Depew are prosecuting this case.
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