Man gets 16 years in prison for role in synthetic marijuana distribution

Muhammad Jaffer Ali comprised Jaffer Drug Trafficking Organization, DOJ says

(Jason Morrison/FreeImages.com)

SAN ANTONIO – A man was sentenced Monday to 16 years in prison for his role in a synthetic marijuana distribution ring.

The U.S. Department of Justice said Muhammad Jaffer Ali, 54, from March 2013 to June 2013, comprised the San Antonio-based Jaffer Drug Trafficking Organization, or Jaffer DTO, which was responsible for producing and distributing synthetic marijuana and bath salts in San Antonio, Houston, Austin, Dallas, Tulsa, Oklahoma; and Kansas City, Missouri.

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The DOJ said Ali manufactured, attempted to manufacture, distributed and possessed with intent to distribute more than 40,000 pounds of synthetic cannabinoids.

Ali was arrested on June 27, 2013, and pleaded guilty on Dec. 12, 2016, to one count of conspiracy to distribute and possess with intent to distribute controlled substance analogues.

"The drugs the defendant was peddling are much more dangerous than the name 'synthetic marijuana' suggests," U.S. Attorney Richard L. Durbin Jr. said. "These drugs are highly addictive and can cause death, seizures, organ failure, coma and hallucinations. When their use is not deadly, it can be devastating, causing lasting damage to young brains."

Ali's prison sentence is to be followed by three years of supervised release.

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About the Author:

Dawn Jorgenson, Graham Media Group Branded Content Managing Editor, began working with the group in April 2013. She graduated from Texas State University with a degree in electronic media.