Authorities have shut down an illegal distribution operation that provides immediate delivery of herbs and food sent coast-to-coast via trackable orders from FedEx and UPS. Cannabis and foodstuffs were delivered directly to customers’ doorsteps, or in some cases sold through a slot in the door.
The 24 defendants arrested in the process face serious charges, and in some cases life in prison.
According to January 31st press release From the US Attorney’s Office, Northern District of New York, 24 people have been arrested in connection with a smuggling operation using FedEx and UPS to mail cannabis.
Authorities at the receiving end –Upstate New York– the investigation began, say so The process has been going on for about six years.
“As alleged in the 99-count indictment, between at least June 2016 and June 2022,” the statement reads: “Dwight A. and others shipped thousands of kilograms of marijuana from a convenience store called Fast Pack & Ship in Fresno, California.” , to locations across the United States, including the New York metropolitan area.”
Customers have been sent text messages with tracking information and receipts.
The report continued, “The marijuana was shipped in packages delivered by UPS and FedEx, and to enable recipients to receive text message receipts, Singletary, Coles, and others with package tracking information to the recipients. Singletary and Coles are from New York but have moved to Fresno and, allegedly, mainly run Marijuana Distribution Chart from California”.
Several other high-ranking members of the ring have been given aliases: David Singletary; Lawrence Mumphrey; Deandre Caldwell, also known as “Dilli,” “Dillinger,” and “Dre”; Rosemary Coles of Nayara Banks, aka “Nee”; Gazelle Schuller; Toqwanda Ketchmore, aka “Quannie”; Victor Turner; John Alison Osman, aka “Johnny”; Konsanga Harris, aka “Sondi”; and LaFay Pearson, aka “Lala”.
Several law enforcement agencies worked in tandem to carry out the operation.
The statement was attributed to US Attorney Carla B. Friedman; John B. DeVito, Special Agent in Charge of the New York Field Division of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF); Frank A. Tarantino III, Special Agent in Charge, United States Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA), New York Division; Troy Police Department Chief Daniel DeWolf; and Matthew Scarpino, Special Agent in Charge of the Buffalo Field Office of Homeland Security Investigations (HSI).
The press release explains how proceeds from the sale of cannabis and food have been laundered through a variety of means.
The minimum and maximum prison terms for the most serious charges are listed for each defendant.
For the most serious crimes, the defendants face life sentences and prison sentences of at least 10 years. The youngest of the accused, Alyssa John White, is 29, and the oldest, Rosemary Coles, is 70.
The defendants who appeared in court under awaiting trial conditions have been released, but not Dwight Singletary, David Singletary and Lawrence Mumphrey — who were ordered into custody after hearings earlier this month before U.S. Magistrate Judge Daniel J. Stewart.
The report states that the ATF, DEA, Troy Police Department, Fresno County Sheriff’s Office, and HSI are investigating the case. Assistant United States Attorney Cyrus BW Rick and Dustin Segovia are prosecuting the case.
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