Dozens Arrested in Weed Distribution Ring with Orders via FedEx, UPS

Authorities have halted illegal distribution operations that provide expedited delivery of weeds and edibles sent coast to coast via traceable orders from FedEx and UPS. Cannabis and edibles were delivered directly to customers’ doorsteps or, in some cases, sold through door slots.

The 20 defendants arrested in the operation face serious charges, in some cases life imprisonment.

According to January 31st press release Twenty-four people have been arrested by the U.S. Attorney’s Office in the Upstate District of New York in connection with a smuggling operation that used FedEx and UPS to mail cannabis.

Authorities in upstate New York, the recipient of the order, have launched an investigation, stating: The operation has been running for about 6 years.

“As alleged in at least 99 indictments from 2016 to June 2022,” the statement read: Others have shipped thousands of kilograms of marijuana to locations across the United States, including the New York metropolitan area, from a small shipping store called Fast Pack & Ship in Fresno, California. ”

The customer was texted with tracking information and a receipt.

The report continued, “Marijuana was shipped in parcels delivered by UPS and FedEx, and single, Coles, and other text message receipts containing parcel tracking information were sent to the recipient to enable them to receive the parcel. Singletary and Coles are from New York, but moved to Fresno and allegedly operated their marijuana distribution scheme primarily from California.”

Officials explained that in the New York metropolitan area, weeds and edibles were brought into “knockspots,” or places where cannabis is sold through door slots.

Nicknames for several other high-ranking ring members have been identified. Lawrence Mumphrey; Deandre Caldwell, aka “Dilli,” “Dillinger,” and “Dre.” Rosemary Coles; Niara Banks, aka “Nie”; Jazel Shuler; Tokwanda Ketchmore, aka “Quanie”; Victor Turner; June Alison Osman, aka “Junie”; Consanga Harris, aka “Sondi”. Rafay Pearson, aka “Lara”.

Multiple law enforcement agencies worked together to carry out the operation.

Credit to U.S. Attorney Carla B. Friedman for this statement. John B. DeVito, Special Agent in charge of the New York Field Division of the Office of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives (ATF). Frank A. Tarentino III, US Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) Special Agent in the New York Division. Troy Police Chief Daniel DeWolfe. and Matthew Scarpino, a special agent in charge of the Buffalo field office of the Homeland Security Investigation (HSI).

A press release explains how the proceeds from the sale of cannabis and edibles are allegedly laundered through various means.

Specific minimum and maximum prison sentences for the most serious offenses were listed for each defendant.

For more serious crimes, defendants face life imprisonment and a minimum of 10 years in prison. The youngest defendant, Alyssa June White, is 29, and the oldest, Rosemary Coles, is 70.

The defendants who appeared in court were released in pretrial condition, while Dwight Singletary, David Singletary and Lawrence Munfrey were held before U.S. Magistrate Daniel J. Stewart earlier this month. He was ordered to be detained after a detention hearing.

The report states that the ATF, DEA, Troy Police Department, Fresno County Sheriff’s Office, and HSI are investigating the incident. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Silas P.W. Riek and Dustin C. Segovia are prosecuting the case.