BUFFALO — A 20-year-old Queens man pleaded guilty to conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute, and distribution of, controlled substances and money laundering conspiracy today. The charges carry a maximum penalty of 20 years in prison and a $1,000,000 fine.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Wei Xiang, who is handling the case, stated that Kevin Szura conspired with others to sell mollies and Xanax. The defendant used the proceeds of the Xanax sales to buy and attempt to buy approximately $74,000 in bitcoins, and then used the bitcoins to buy more drugs for distribution. Szura and co-defendant Zhe Wang were students at the University at Buffalo during a portion of the conspiracy between March 2015 and March 2016. In March 2016, law enforcement officers intercepted two packages mailed from Canada and addressed to one of Szura’s co-defendants in Amherst that each contained nearly 3,000 Xanax bars.
Zhe Wang has also been convicted and is awaiting sentencing.
The plea is the result of an investigation by Immigration and Customs Enforcement, Homeland Security Investigations, under the direction of Special Agent in Charge James C. Spero, and the United States Postal Inspection Service, under the direction of Inspector in Charge Shelly Binkowski.
Sentencing is scheduled for Feb. 3, 2017, before Judge Arcara.
from US Dept. of Justice via IFTTT
