United States Drug Enforcement Administration

CHICAGO - The U.S. Attorney’s Office today charged three individuals with federal drug offenses for allegedly conspiring to sell synthetic cannabinoids at a Chicago convenience store.

Fouad Masoud, Jamil Abdelrahman Jad Allah, and Adil Khan Mohammed conspired to sell the synthetic cannabinoids, known as “K2,” at King Mini Mart in the North Lawndale neighborhood of Chicago, according to a criminal complaint and affidavit filed in federal court in Chicago. Multiple people recently experienced adverse symptoms, including unusual bleeding, after using synthetic cannabinoids obtained from the store, the complaint states. Some of these individuals recently sought treatment in Chicago-area emergency rooms, the complaint states.

The three defendants were arrested Sunday. The complaint charges Masoud, 48, of Justice, Jad Allah, 44, of Justice, and Mohammed, 44, of Chicago, with conspiracy to knowingly and intentionally possess with intent to distribute, and to distribute, a controlled substance. Masoud made an initial court appearance today before U.S. Magistrate Judge Daniel G. Martin. Judge Martin ordered him to remain in federal custody until a detention hearing on Thursday at 1:00 p.m. Initial court appearances for Jad Allah and Mohammed are set for Tuesday at 11:00 a.m. before Judge Martin.

The charges were announced by Brian McKnight, Special Agent-in-Charge of the Chicago Division of the Drug Enforcement Administration; John R. Lausch, Jr., United States Attorney for the Northern District of Illinois; and Eddie Johnson, Superintendent of the Chicago Police Department. The Illinois State Police and the Illinois Department of Public Health provided assistance.

According to the charges, the three defendants worked at King Mini Mart, located in the 1300 block of South Kedzie Avenue in Chicago. Last week, undercover law enforcement officers purchased K2 from Jad Allah and Mohammed inside the store, the complaint states. The synthetic cannabinoids were packaged in sealed containers and labeled with such names as “Matrix,” “Blue Giant,” and “Crazy Monkey,” according to the charges. Preliminary testing of some of the cannabinoids purchased by the undercover officer revealed a detectable amount of brodifacoum, a toxic substance frequently used in rat poison, the complaint states.

The public is reminded that a complaint contains only charges and is not evidence of guilt. The defendants are presumed innocent and are entitled to a fair trial at which the government has the burden of proving guilt beyond a reasonable doubt. The drug conspiracy charge carries a maximum sentence of 20 years. If convicted, the Court must impose reasonable sentences under federal sentencing statutes and the advisory United States Sentencing Guidelines.

Assistant U.S. Attorney Matthew Hernandez is representing the government.

DEA Chicago Division Special Agent in Charge Brian McKnight emphasized, “The DEA Mission is to protect our communities against the narcotics traffickers who prey on those who suffer the scourge of addiction. Synthetic cannabinoids are creating a public health crisis which demands an equally serious response. Together with our federal, state and local law enforcement partners we are committed to targeting these new and emerging drugs with every scientific, legislative, and investigative tool at our disposal. We will pursue those who distribute these poisonous substances to the innocent of our communities.”