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2024-03-19T07:50:56Z
https://gangstersinc.org/blog/feed/tag/weed
LA Dank DMV Crew member gets over 6 years in prison for role in sophisticated marijuana conspiracy
https://gangstersinc.org/blog/la-dank-dmv-crew-member-gets-over-6-years-in-prison-for-role-in-s
2024-01-20T14:36:56.000Z
2024-01-20T14:36:56.000Z
Gangsters Inc.
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<div><img src="https://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/11029207453?profile=RESIZE_400x&width=374"></div><div><p>By <a href="http://www.gangstersinc.org" target="_blank">Gangsters Inc.</a> Editors</p>
<p>A member of the “LA Dank DMV Crew” was sentenced on Wednesday to over 6 years in prison for his role in a sophisticated and broad conspiracy that was responsible for bringing hundreds of pounds of marijuana from California to the metropolitan area. 30-year-old Christopher Akinduro, of Washington D.C, had already pleaded guilty on October 3, 2023, to conspiracy to distribute, and possess with intent to distribute 100 kilograms or more of marijuana.</p>
<p>Seven LA Dank co-defendants have all pleaded guilty to various drug trafficking and/or firearms counts. The co-defendants include Abubakr Banire, Kavon Duncan, Joe Blyther, Isaac Akinduro, Avery Bost, Omar Butler, and Randall Lance, entered their pleas in U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia. Lance was sentenced Oct. 10, 2023, to a 63 month prison term for conspiracy to distribute over 100 kilos of marijuana. The others are awaiting sentencing on similar counts.</p>
<p><span style="font-size:14pt;"><strong>High-grade marijuana</strong></span></p>
<p>According to the government’s evidence, between May of 2021 and December of 2021, crew members operated a sophisticated conspiracy to traffic large amounts of high-grade marijuana from California to the DMV area for distribution to customers. As part of their distribution scheme, members of the crew relied heavily on mass marketing through three dedicated LA Dank websites, as well as social media platforms like Instagram where individual crew members advertised LA Dank branded clothing and LA Dank branded marijuana that could be bought directly online. Although the websites themselves appeared professional, LA Dank was not a licensed company to operate in the District of Columbia.</p>
<p>Akindkuro and his fellow crew members also used short-term rental properties to set up stash houses or points of sale that were used to conduct drug distribution operations before moving on to different locations.</p>
<p><span style="font-size:14pt;"><strong>Busts</strong></span></p>
<p>Law enforcement executed its first residential search warrant on June 15, 2021, at the 1900 block of Whistling Duck Drive, Upper Marlboro, MD, after law enforcement observed multiple LA Dank crew members and purchasers traveling to and from the premises. Akinduro arrived at the location as while the search was in process. An FBI search of Akinduro’s vehicle revealed a loaded pistol in the center console, a suitcase in the trunk that was consistent with those found within the Whistling Duck house, and seven pounds of marijuana.</p>
<p>Even after the seizure of his vehicle, Akinduro continued to participate in the conspiracy and to possess additional firearms.</p>
<p>Akinduro and his LA Dank co-conspirators operated numerous stash houses in the D.C. area. Two of these locations, used by Akinduro himself, were separate long-term rentals in a hotel on the 300 block of N Street, Northeast. On December 21, 2021, the FBI executed search warrants on both units. In the first, the FBI recovered a Glock 19 9mm caliber pistol with a machine gun conversion device installed, an AR-style pistol, an AR firearm magazine loaded with 25 5.56 caliber rounds, 68 grams of marijuana, a digital scale, and a laptop labeled “LA Dank Exotics.” In the second, the FBI recovered a Glock 26 9mm caliber pistol with a machine gun conversion device installed, a second Glock 26 9 mm caliber pistol, a 9 mm caliber ammunition box, 40 pounds of marijuana, a scale, a money counter, and approximately $18,000.00 in cash. Akinduro and defendant Duncan occupied the second unit at the time of the execution of the search warrant. Akinduro discussed a “switch on the glizzy” in an Instagram post, suggesting that he was aware of the fully automatic capabilities of firearms with machine gun conversion devices installed.</p>
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Drug trafficker who moved over 100 kilos of marijuana to Anderson and Indianapolis gets 30 years in prison
https://gangstersinc.org/blog/drug-trafficker-who-moved-over-100-kilos-of-marijuana-to-anderson
2023-05-09T12:49:15.000Z
2023-05-09T12:49:15.000Z
Gangsters Inc.
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<div><img src="https://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/11073556863?profile=RESIZE_400x&width=374"></div><div><p>By <a href="http://www.gangstersinc.org" target="_blank">Gangsters Inc.</a> Editors</p>
<p>The final of four defendants has been sentenced to federal prison for his part in a multi-state drug trafficking scheme. 40-year-old Charles House, of Anderson, Indiana was sentenced to 30 years in federal prison last week after a federal jury found him guilty as charged on twelve counts, including attempting to traffic methamphetamine, trafficking in over 100 kilograms of marijuana, and illegally possessing twelve firearms.</p>
<p>In October 2018, the Madison County Drug Task Force initiated an investigation into Charles House’s drug trafficking organization. He traveled to California to purchase narcotics and then mailed the narcotics to multiple addresses in Anderson, Indiana. The marijuana was then redistributed by co-conspirators Sean Brown and Marcus Hayes-Patterson in Anderson.</p>
<p>Tommy Compton was House’s Indianapolis source of supply for marijuana. All told, House procured over 8 kilograms of pure methamphetamine and over 450 kilograms of marijuana. Defendants facilitated their drug trafficking activities through the use of cellular phones and often used code words to try to conceal their illegal activities.</p>
<p>In addition to his drug trafficking crimes, House was convicted two counts of possession of a firearm by a convicted felon, after law enforcement officers seized his firearms during execution of lawful searches. House is prohibited from possessing firearms under federal law, following a prior felony conviction for Dealing Marijuana and Operating a Vehicle While Intoxicated Resulting in Serious Bodily Injury.</p>
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19 drug traffickers busted in Spanish-Swedish raid: 750 kilos of weed and indoor cultivation facility seized
https://gangstersinc.org/blog/19-drug-traffickers-busted-in-spanish-swedish-raid-750-kilos-of-w
2023-04-17T12:24:55.000Z
2023-04-17T12:24:55.000Z
Gangsters Inc.
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<div><img src="https://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/11029207453?profile=RESIZE_400x&width=374"></div><div><p>By <a href="http://www.gangstersinc.org" target="_blank">Gangsters Inc.</a> Editors</p>
<p>The Spanish National Police (Policia National) and the Swedish National Police (Polisen), supported by Europol, dismantled a criminal network transporting drugs via trucks between Spain and Sweden. Swedish authorities initiated the investigation into the network in 2019, after establishing a link between a money laundering case and suspected members of this drug trafficking network. Some of the members of this network were located in Alicante, Spain. </p>
<p>The members of the gang purchased various legal goods and exported them to other countries in trucks. This served as a cover for concealing drugs in the transport vehicles. Swedish law enforcement authorities identified two such shipments, one consisting of 200 kilos of cannabis bound for Gothenburg, and another consisting of 300 kilos of cannabis headed for Stockholm.</p>
<p><iframe title="YouTube video player" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/UQ8Lfsd2qsI" width="560" height="315" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen=""></iframe></p>
<p>This led to the arrests of six members of the criminal network in Sweden in mid-February, as well as to the arrest of a seventh suspect in Spain and seizures including more than €200,000 in cash, jewelry, watches and electronic equipment.</p>
<p>Two weeks following these arrests, authorities detected another drug shipment. A special operation targeting this shipment was soon instigated, leading to the seizure of 44 kilos of marijuana, the arrests of the drivers, and the interception of additional accomplices involved in the drug trafficking operation.</p>
<p>The home searches related to these actions uncovered indoor cultivation of cannabis and saw the seizures of 250 marijuana plants. In total, Spanish and Swedish authorities arrested 14 (7 in Spain and 7 in Sweden) individuals for their suspected involvement in this drug trafficking network. Previously, five other suspects connected to this network were arrested in Sweden.</p>
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The crime of hypocrisy: Portland gangster gets 7 years in prison for robbing marijuana dispensary
https://gangstersinc.org/blog/the-crime-of-hypocrisy-portland-gangster-gets-7-years-in-prison-f
2022-05-16T13:17:44.000Z
2022-05-16T13:17:44.000Z
Gangsters Inc.
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<div><img src="https://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/10492148095?profile=RESIZE_400x&width=400"></div><div><p>By David Amoruso for <a href="http://www.gangstersinc.org" target="_blank">Gangsters Inc.</a></p>
<p>Imagine that you had a job for years that was appreciated by the general public, but criminalized by the government. You spent some time behind bars because of it. Friends of yours did too. Then the government did a 180 degree turnaround and took your job and income and handed it to those with a clean record. Welcome to the legit marijuana business.</p>
<p>It is hypocritical to say the least. To see legitimate businesses built on marijuana while so many people are currently imprisoned because of being involved in exactly that business. It seems that, for most people, life goes on as usual and those that got the short end of the stick are forgotten and discarded.</p>
<ul>
<li><strong>READ: </strong><a href="https://gangstersinc.org/profiles/blogs/drug-kingpin-freeway-rick-ross-moving-tons-of-cocaine-with-a-nod" target="_blank"><strong>Drug kingpin “Freeway” Rick Ross: Moving tons of cocaine with a nod of approval from the Reagan White House</strong></a></li>
</ul>
<p>Every so often we are reminded of this injustice when a story like the one below pops up.</p>
<p><span style="font-size:14pt;"><strong>Point the gun</strong></span></p>
<p>Last week, a Portland man affiliated with the Hoover gang and Unthank Park Hustlers, two allied <a href="https://gangstersinc.org/profiles/blogs/street-gangs" target="_blank">Portland street gangs</a>, was sentenced to 7 years in federal prison for robbing a Eugene marijuana dispensary.</p>
<p>30-year-old Timothy Christopher Gaines and a partner-in-crime robbed Green Therapy, a marijuana dispensary in Eugene, of several jars of marijuana and $912 in cash on December 20, 2019. “Get on the ground,” Gaines yelled at the store employee. “Don’t move. I’ll shoot you! Where’s the money? Don’t fucking move!”</p>
<p><a href="http://www.gangstersinc.org" target="_blank"><img class="align-center" src="{{#staticFileLink}}10492148276,RESIZE_710x{{/staticFileLink}}" alt="10492148276?profile=RESIZE_710x" width="633" /></a>Gaines used a firearm during the robbery and pointed it at the store employee as he cowered on the floor. Someone who was just doing his job. An honest job.</p>
<p>Gaines was charged and on February 14, 2022, he pleaded guilty to using and carrying a firearm during and in relation to a crime of violence. Assistant U.S. Attorney Leah Bolstad believes Gaines’ own addiction to marijuana led to the crime.</p>
<p><span style="font-size:14pt;"><strong>Crime and punishment</strong></span></p>
<p>His crime is punished accordingly, but this incident shines a light on our justice system. A few years ago, the store employee would be cast in a different light. He would be a common criminal who got what he deserved for getting involved in such shady activity.</p>
<p>Now, he is a hardworking individual, someone who deserves our respect.</p>
<ul>
<li><strong>READ: </strong><a href="https://gangstersinc.org/blog/texas-man-accused-of-running-multi-state-marijuana-trafficking-or" target="_blank"><strong>Texas man accused of running multi-state marijuana trafficking organization that trafficked $13M worth' of weed in one year</strong></a></li>
</ul>
<p>Perhaps we as a society should remember this when looking at crime and its causes before we begin to place labels on people, groups, neighborhoods, cities, countries. The story is never as black and white as one thinks or the law implicates. </p>
<p>Not that it makes any difference to those spending the rest of their lives in a prison cell because of selling a product that now gets you labeled as an innovative business entrepreneur and on the cover of Fortune magazine.</p>
<p>As Gaines was sentenced, his three children and their mother looked on <a href="https://www.oregonlive.com/crime/2022/05/portland-man-sentenced-to-seven-years-for-armed-robbery-of-marijuana-dispensary-in-eugene.html" target="_blank">in court</a>. Gaines blew kisses at them as he was led away.</p>
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Texas man accused of running multi-state marijuana trafficking organization that trafficked $13M worth' of weed in one year
https://gangstersinc.org/blog/texas-man-accused-of-running-multi-state-marijuana-trafficking-or
2022-02-23T16:44:37.000Z
2022-02-23T16:44:37.000Z
Gangsters Inc.
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<div><img src="https://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/10148293900?profile=RESIZE_400x&width=400"></div><div><p>By <a href="http://www.gangstersinc.org" target="_blank">Gangsters Inc.</a> Editors</p>
<p>Marijuana may be legal in 18 states, but that doesn’t mean one can't still make considerable money selling the stuff on the black market. 51-year-old Fayao “Paul” Rong did just that. He led a large-scale marijuana trafficking operation that grew the plants and then smuggled the weed to states where its use was still prohibited.</p>
<p>Rong was indicted for his leadership role in a conspiracy to traffic large quantities of marijuana illegally grown in Oregon for redistribution and sale in other states. He purchased numerous residential houses in Oregon using several different identities and converted them for use as indoor marijuana grows with thousands of plants.</p>
<p><span style="font-size:14pt;"><strong>$13 million</strong></span></p>
<p>His organization grew, harvested, and transported the marijuana to states where the possession and use of marijuana remains illegal. Investigators believe that, in a 12-month period beginning August 2020, Rong trafficked more than $13.2 million dollars in black market marijuana.</p>
<ul>
<li><strong>READ: </strong><a href="https://gangstersinc.org/blog/el-chapo-s-wife-moved-to-minimum-security-prison-to-serve-her-3-y" target="_blank"><strong>El Chapo’s wife moved to minimum-security prison to serve her 3-year sentence</strong></a></li>
</ul>
<p>On September 8 and 9, 2021, a coordinated law enforcement operation led by the DEA and the Oregon State Police (OSP) Northwest Region Marijuana Team targeted Rong’s organization. Federal, state, and local law enforcement partners executed search warrants on 25 Oregon residences and Rong’s Houston home.</p>
<ul>
<li><strong>READ: </strong><a href="https://gangstersinc.org/profiles/blogs/members-of-drug-ring-that-smuggled-thousands-of-kilos-of-marijuan" target="_blank"><strong>Members of Texas drug ring that smuggled thousands of kilos of marijuana plead guilty</strong></a></li>
</ul>
<p>During the investigation and ensuing search warrants, investigators seized nearly 33,000 marijuana plants, 1,800 pounds of packaged marijuana, 23 firearms, nine vehicles, $20,000 in money orders, and more than $591,000 in cash. In the weeks following the operation, the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Oregon filed an action in federal court seeking to forfeit 16 properties used for the illegal manufacturing of marijuana. Together, the properties are worth approximately $6.5 million.</p>
<p><span style="font-size:14pt;"><strong>Follow the… electricity bump</strong></span></p>
<p>The Rong organization takedown followed a 14-month investigation by OSP initiated after the agency learned of excessive electricity use at the various properties, which, in several instances, resulted in transformer explosions.</p>
<p>Multiple citizen complaints corroborated law enforcement’s belief that Rong was leading a large black market marijuana operation. With the assistance of the Columbia and Polk County Sheriff’s Offices, OSP found associated marijuana grows in Clatsop, Columbia, Linn, Marion, Multnomah, and Polk Counties.</p>
<p>Rong was arrested last Friday by DEA agents in Houston, Texas, and was released on conditions pending his first appearance in the District of Oregon. If convicted, he faces a maximum sentence of life in prison with a ten-year mandatory minimum, a $10 million fine, and five years’ supervised release.</p>
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Albanian clan running industrial cannabis operation in Spain busted
https://gangstersinc.org/blog/albanian-clan-running-industrial-cannabis-operation-in-spain-bust
2021-09-01T11:00:48.000Z
2021-09-01T11:00:48.000Z
Gangsters Inc.
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<div><img src="https://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/9516695880?profile=RESIZE_400x&width=374"></div><div><p>By <a href="http://www.gangstersinc.org" target="_blank">Gangsters Inc.</a> Editors</p>
<p>An organized criminal network composed mainly of Albanian-speaking criminals, suspected of illegally trafficking drugs, was busted on July 13, Europol reported today. 107 persons were arrested in an operation, which involved law enforcement authorities in Spain, Germany and Albania.</p>
<p>The clan allegedly managed cannabis plantations in Spain where they cultivated and processed marijuana. They then trafficked it to other European countries for further distribution. This group was hierarchically structured, with branches operating internationally. Some of its members arrested have a history of drug trafficking in different countries.</p>
<p>The criminals were diverting the electricity supply to illegally cultivate the plants indoors. It is estimated that the stolen electricity amounts to over €1.6 million in lost utility revenue.</p>
<p><iframe title="YouTube video player" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/QjcuZgxqxdk" width="560" height="315" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen=""></iframe></p>
<p>Some 400 police officers on the ground carried out simultaneous raids in 42 different locations in Spain (Tarragona, Barcelona, Girona and Castellón). An additional 9 searches were carried out a few days later.</p>
<p>These resulted in the arrest of 107 individuals, including Albanian, Spanish, Slovak and Greek nationals; 51 cannabis farms uncovered; 25 000 cannabis plants seized; €70 000 in cash; and two high end vehicles seized.</p>
<p><strong>Check out the <a href="https://gangstersinc.ning.com/profiles/blogs/europe-overview">Organized Crime in Europe section</a> on Gangsters Inc. </strong></p>
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Spain and Serbia dismantle Serbian marijuana trafficking network
https://gangstersinc.org/blog/spain-and-serbia-dismantle-serbian-marijuana-trafficking-network
2021-07-24T12:02:24.000Z
2021-07-24T12:02:24.000Z
Gangsters Inc.
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<div><img src="https://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/9306142275?profile=RESIZE_400x&width=400"></div><div><p>By <a href="http://www.gangstersinc.org" target="_blank">Gangsters Inc.</a> Editors</p>
<p>Spanish and Serbian authorities have dismantled a large-scale drug trafficking network last month. 43 members of a Serbian organized crime group have been arrested for their involvement in producing and distributing marijuana and hashish.</p>
<p>During a series of raids on June 28, 2021, in Serbia and Spain, and during interventions against the organized crime group in January, the Spanish Guardia Civil and the Serbian Police carried out 19 searches and seized over 17.000 marijuana plants, over 880 kilos of marijuana buds, and at least 130 kilos of produced marijuana and hashish resins. Approximately €250.000 euro in cash was also seized.</p>
<p><span style="font-size:14pt;"><strong>Europol’s and Eurojust’s support of Operation Mitikas</strong></span></p>
<p>The arrests are a result of Operation Mitikas, which involved Europol and Eurojust and was developed in the framework of the European Multidisciplinary Platform against Criminal Threats (EMPACT) and the operational action plan on cross-border drug trafficking sourced by large-scale herbal cannabis production in the European Union.</p>
<p><span style="font-size:14pt;"><strong>The cannabis market in the European Union</strong></span></p>
<p>Cannabis continues to represent the biggest slice in the European drug market, and trafficking this product will remain a significant source of income for a wide range of criminal networks, Europol reports. “The trade in cannabis but also in other drugs such as cocaine and synthetic drugs is a key threat to the EU due to the levels of violence associated, the multibillion euro profits generated and the substantial harm caused by it.”</p>
<p>Herbal cannabis is extensively produced within the European Union, with estimates indicating that at least 20.000 cultivation sites are dismantled each year, and is a major source of income for the criminal economy. Although herbal cannabis is produced in each European country, this may not be sufficient to satisfy local demand; therefore, trafficking within European borders exists as it has been shown in Operation Mitikas.</p>
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