Schenectady County Men Arrested on Synthetic Marijuana Conspiracy Charge

ALBANY, NEW YORK – Rayen Hussein, age 41, of Glenville, New York, and Abdulqadoos Alomari, age 31, of Schenectady, New York, were arrested on Friday on charges of conspiring to distribute synthetic cannabinoids, also referred to as “spice” or “K2,” out of the Stockade Market and Deli in Schenectady, announced United States Attorney Grant C. Jaquith.

According to the criminal complaint, law enforcement on Friday seized approximately 1 kilogram of synthetic marijuana packaged for distribution.  The baggies seized on Friday were uniformly brightly colored, and labeled with names including “Scooby Snax,” Ice Dragon,” “Loopy,” What’s Up,” and “Geeked Up.” The charges in the complaint are merely accusations. The defendants are presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.

Alomari appeared today before United States Magistrate Judge Christina F. Hummel, and was released on conditions including a financial bond.   Hussein is in custody pending a detention hearing tomorrow before Judge Hummel.  

The charges filed against Hussein and Alomari carry a maximum sentence of 20 years in prison, a fine of up to $1 million, and a term of post-imprisonment supervised release of at least 3 years and up to life.  A defendant’s sentence is imposed by a judge based on the particular statute the defendant is charged with violating, the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other factors.

This case is being investigated by the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA), Homeland Security Investigations (HSI), United States Postal Inspection Service (USPIS), Internal Revenue Service (IRS), New York State Police and the New York State Department of Taxation and Finance. 

The Schenectady and Washington County Sheriff’s Offices, and the Police Departments of Amsterdam, Glenville, Saratoga Springs, Troy and Watervliet, assisted in the investigation of this case.

The case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Emmet O’Hanlon.