United States Drug Enforcement Administration

Special Agent in Charge of the New York Enforcement Division of the Drug Enforcement Administration (“DEA”), Farhana Islam, and United States Attorney for the Southern District of New York, Jay Clayton, announced today the unsealing of an Indictment charging MARK DYGDON and RODRIGO CASTRO in connection with the defendants’ distribution of gamma-butyrolactone (“GBL”) throughout the New York City area.  The case is assigned to U.S. District Judge Margaret M. Garnett. 

“The seizure of multiple tons of gamma-butyrolactone, is not merely a chemical seizure, it is the prevention of countless tragedies that may have otherwise occurred,” said DEA New York Enforcement Division Special Agent in Charge Farhana Islam.  “GBL is a dangerous substance on its own, and can also be converted into GHB.  Both are powerful depressants that are often used in drug facilitated sexual assaults.  By removing this massive quantity from the supply chain, the DEA and our partners disrupted a significant threat to public safety, and the prevention of countless people who might otherwise have been victimized.  This indictment reflects the commitment we have with our partners in targeting those trafficking drugs and precursor chemicals into our communities.”

“As alleged, Mark Dygdon and Rodrigo Castro conspired to import and distribute millions of doses of gamma-butyrolactone in Midtown Manhattan and around the New York region,” said U.S. Attorney Jay Clayton.  “Even one dose of GBL, also commonly known as a so-called date rape drug, can be lethal; Dygdon and Castro are accused of flooding Midtown with tons of this liquid poison.  As the charges in this case show, together with our law enforcement partners, we will relentlessly pursue those who commit drug crimes and will prosecute them to the fullest extent of the law.”

As alleged in the Indictment, other court filings, and statements made during court proceedings:

From at least in or about August 2023 through at least in or about June 2026, DYGDON and CASTRO conspired to distribute GBL throughout the New York City area.  To date, the charged conspiracy has imported more than at least approximately seven U.S. tons of GBL between on or about August 2023 and today, or the equivalent of millions of individual doses of GBL.

DYGDON, 48, and CASTRO, 34, both of New York, New York, are each charged with one count of conspiracy to distribute GBL, which carries a maximum sentence of 20 years in prison. 

The statutory maximum potential sentences in this case are prescribed by Congress and provided here for informational purposes only, as any sentencing of the defendants will be determined by a judge.

Mr. Clayton praised the outstanding investigative work of the DEA, the New York City Department of Investigations, and the New York State Health Department, Bureau of Narcotic Enforcement.

This case is being handled by the Office’s Narcotics Unit.  Assistant U.S. Attorney Rebecca R. Delfiner is in charge of the prosecution.

The charges contained in the Indictment are merely accusations, and the defendants are presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty. 

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1. As the introductory phrase signifies, the Indictment, and the description of the Indictment set forth herein, constitute only allegations, and every fact described should be treated as an allegation.