STAFF REPORTS
BUFFALO, N.Y. — U.S. Attorney James P. Kennedy, Jr. announced today that Salleh Dubaishi, 43, of Tonawanda, NY, pleaded guilty before Chief U.S. District Judge Frank P. Geraci, Jr. to a possession with intent to distribute AB-FUBINACA and XLR-11, synthetic cannabinoids. The charge carries a maximum penalty of 20 in prison and a fine of $1,000,000.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Brendan T. Cullinane, who is handling the case, stated that in November of 2015, New York State Department of Taxation and Finance inspectors encountered the defendant at Pyramid Express HSD, a store located at 102 Hoyt Street in Buffalo, during a routine inspection of the store’s tobacco and cigarette inventory. The inspectors recovered 529 packages of suspected synthetic cannabinoids, which were labeled “Geeked Up;” “Strawberry Scooby Snax;” “Hypnotic;” “Insane;” “AK-47;” or “Kisha Cole.” The inspectors turned over the packages to Homeland Security Investigations for further analysis. HSI confirmed that the defendant possessed and offered, for retail sale AB-FUBINACA and XLR-11, both of which are Schedule I controlled substances.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Brendan T. Cullinane, who is handling the case, stated that in November of 2015, New York State Department of Taxation and Finance inspectors encountered the defendant at Pyramid Express HSD, a store located at 102 Hoyt Street in Buffalo, during a routine inspection of the store’s tobacco and cigarette inventory. The inspectors recovered 529 packages of suspected synthetic cannabinoids, which were labeled “Geeked Up;” “Strawberry Scooby Snax;” “Hypnotic;” “Insane;” “AK-47;” or “Kisha Cole.” The inspectors turned over the packages to Homeland Security Investigations for further analysis. HSI confirmed that the defendant possessed and offered, for retail sale AB-FUBINACA and XLR-11, both of which are Schedule I controlled substances.
The plea is the result of an investigation by the New York State Department of Taxation and Finance, under the direction of Executive Deputy Commissioner Nonie Manion, and Immigration and Customs Enforcement, Homeland Security Investigations, under the direction of Special Agent-in-Charge Kevin Kelly.
Sentencing is scheduled for December 13, 2018, at 12:30 p.m. before Judge Geraci.
