Defendant Charged With Attempted Possession with Intent to Distribute Imitation Designer Drug

Alfredo Rodriguez was arraigned this morning before United States Magistrate Judge Vera M. Scanlon at the federal courthouse in Brooklyn on a two-count indictment charging him with conspiring to distribute, and with attempting to possess with the intent to distribute, N-ethylpentylone, a Schedule I controlled substance analogue.  The indictment was filed on August 17, 2018, and the case is assigned to United States District Judge Nicholas G. Garaufis.  Rodriguez was arrested on August 2, 2018, and at his initial appearance in court on August 3, 2018 was ordered detained. 

Richard P. Donoghue, United States Attorney for the Eastern District of New York, Angel M. Melendez, Special Agent-in-Charge, U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), Homeland Security Investigations (HSI), New York, and Frank Russo, Acting Director, New York Field Office, U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP), announced the charges.

 “The proactive efforts of our law enforcement partners slammed the door shut on the defendant’s efforts to obtain this dangerous drug, shipped by mail from China, to be sold on our streets,” stated United States Attorney Donoghue.  “This indictment demonstrates the commitment by the Department of Justice and our partners in law enforcement to combat the drug epidemic in our nation, enforcing zero tolerance for controlled substances, whether they are grown in a field or created in a laboratory.”  Mr. Donoghue extended his grateful appreciation to ICE-HSI’s Border Enforcement Task Force and the U.S. Postal Inspection Service (USPIS) for their investigative work and assistance in the case. 

“This is another case where interagency cooperation has stopped the attempted international distribution of a dangerous ‘designer’ drug, in this case one mimicking Ecstasy,” stated ICE HSI Special Agent-in-Charge Melendez.  “Whether via the Internet or regular mail, HSI and cooperating agencies are penetrating these operations, no matter how big or how small, on a regular basis and bringing the individuals involved to justice.”

“This case serves as a great example of collaborative law enforcement efforts to combat international narcotics trafficking conspirators,” stated CBP Acting Director Russo.  “U.S. Customs and Border Protection thanks our partners at HSI and ICE for their continued cooperation.”

According to the indictment and other court filings, Rodriguez purchased what he believed to be “Molly” – the street name for 3,4-methylenedioxymethamphetamine, also commonly referred to as “MDMA” or “ecstasy” – from a supplier in China, which he intended to sell to another individual for distribution.  CBP intercepted the package when it arrived in the United States in July 2018, and upon examination found over 2,000 grams of N-ethylpentylone, a controlled substance analogue.  N-ethylpentylone can resemble Molly in appearance and has been sold on the street as such. 

After removing the N-ethylpentylone from the package and replacing it with a product that resembled the controlled substance, law enforcement personnel, including agents of the USPIS, delivered the package to an address in Jamaica, Queens, where Rodriguez was arrested after accepting the package. 

If convicted, Rodriguez faces a maximum sentence of 20 years’ imprisonment on each count of the indictment.

The charges in the indictment are allegations, and the defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.

The government’s case is being handled by the Office’s General Crimes Section.  Assistant United States Attorney Justina L. Geraci is in charge of the prosecution.

The Defendant:

Alfredo Rodriguez
Age:  33
Carteret, New Jersey

E.D.N.Y. Docket No. 18-CR-444 (NGG)