Fairfax County detectives seized hundreds of thousands of dollars worth of illegal drugs and busted up a narcotics ring they say was operated in the Mount Vernon District.
Four men, three from Virginia and one from Maryland, have been charged, according to a news release.
The police said they confiscated the hallucinogenic drugs Psilocybin, also known as magic mushrooms, and LSD, as well as THC and marijuana, in the following quantities:
- Psilocybin — 3.5 pounds;
- LSD — 1,000+ hits;
- THC — 6.5 pounds;
- Marijuana — 45 pounds.
They also seized $138,000 in cash, two firearms, jewelry, and a Porsche SUV. During the investigation that started back in March, police said they also discovered several bank accounts connected to what they believe were the illegal activities of the narcotics ring.
The police charged the following people:
- Matthew Powers, 33, of Alexandria, faces six counts of conspiracy to distribute drugs and two counts of money laundering.
- Mondell Opoku, 32, of Woodbridge, is charged with conspiracy to distribute drugs and conspiracy to commit money laundering.
- Andres Blanco, 27, of Clinton, Maryland, is charged with two counts of distribution of drugs and one count of conspiracy to commit money laundering.
- Ali Banihashemi, 32, of Burke, faces charges of distributing more than 5 pounds of marijuana, possession with the intent to distribute between 1 ounce and 5 pounds of marijuana, and possession of a firearm while in possession of marijuana with the intent to distribute it.
Opoku, Blanco, and Banihashemi have been held without bond.
Feature image courtesy Fairfax County Police Department
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