Brooklyn man charged with distributing synthetic drugs, fentanyl, and Oxycodone over the internet
CAMDEN, N.J. – Valerie A. Nickerson, Special Agent in Charge of the Drug Enforcement Administration’s New Jersey Division, and Craig Carpenito, U.S. Attorney for the District of New Jersey, announced a New York man is scheduled to appear in court today on charges of selling dangerous designer drugs, fentanyl, and oxycodone over the Internet.
Shadab Chowdhury, 26, of Brooklyn, New York, is charged by complaint with eight counts of distributing and possessing with intent to distribute synthetic cannabinoids; one count of distributing and possessing with intent to distribute fentanyl; and one count of distributing and possessing with intent to distribute oxycodone. He was arrested Aug. 20, 2018, and appeared in Brooklyn federal court. He is scheduled to appear today before U.S. Magistrate Judge Joel Schneider in Camden federal court.
Chowdhury allegedly distributed synthetic cannabinoids, fentanyl, and oxycodone over two years by communicating with customers over three Internet websites, two email accounts, and text messages. His customers included undercover law enforcement officers located in New Jersey, New York, Kansas, North Carolina, South Dakota, West Virginia, Georgia, Ohio, Alaska, California, and Virginia.
Chowdhury allegedly arranged and coordinated shipments of synthetic cannabinoids, which he termed “fire” or “spice,” as well as shipments of fentanyl and oxycodone. He also prepared the drugs to make them more potent and negotiated pricing on the drugs. To avoid law enforcement, Chowdhury deliberately misbranded the synthetic cannabinoids and referred to the oxycodone and fentanyl in code. He received payments for his drug shipments via credit card payments, Western Union, direct bank deposit, and cryptocurrency.
Each of the 10 charges in the complaint carries a maximum potential penalty of 20 years in prison and a $1 million fine.
U.S. Attorney Craig Carpenito credited special agents with the Drug Enforcement Administration’s Tactical Diversion Squad in the Camden Resident Office, under the direction of Special Agent in Charge Valerie A. Nickerson, with the investigation leading to today’s arrest.
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