Broomfield Man Sentenced To 48 Months For Ibogaine Distribution

DENVER – The United States Attorney’s Office for the District of Colorado announces that Ameen Alai, aka Adam Powars, 52, of Broomfield, Colorado, was sentenced to 48 months in prison after pleading guilty to one count of distribution of a mixture and substance containing a detectable amount of ibogaine.  Ibogaine is a psychedelic compound derived from the root of a Tabernanthe iboga plant.  In the United States, ibogaine is a Schedule I controlled substance and currently has no accepted medical use and has a high potential for abuse.

According to the plea agreement, between April 2019 and March 2021, Alai advocated to others that ibogaine was a means to “reset” the body’s “receptors” to break addictive tendencies.  In March of 2021, Alai intentionally distributed one or more doses of ibogaine to a person in Broomfield, Colorado, and supervised the person’s use of the substance.  Alai left that person unattended for a period of time and when Alai returned, the person was unresponsive and later died.  At the sentencing hearing, the court found that the ibogaine Alai distributed caused the person’s death.

“As the tragic results of Mr. Alai’s conduct make clear, ibogaine is dangerous,” said United States Attorney Peter McNeilly.  “We want the public to know that, like many of the more well-known drugs in our community, taking ibogaine can have deadly consequences.” 

“This sentence underscores the devastating impact of illegal drug trafficking while also serving as a reminder that those who profit from poisoning our communities will be held accountable for the lives lost to their actions,” said DEA Rocky Mountain Special Agent in Charge David S. Olesky.  “Make no mistake, if someone knowingly and intentionally distributes a controlled substance that results in death, we will seek justice.”

United States District Judge Charlotte N. Sweeney presided over the sentencing.

The Drug Enforcement Administration handled the investigation.  Assistant United States Attorneys Alyssa C. Mance and Michael F. Houlihan handled the prosecution.

Case Number: 22-cr-00339-CNS