Four indicted for conspiring to possess with intent to distribute 20 pounds of marijuana and nearly 20 pounds of MDMA

Four people were indicted in federal court on charges of conspiring to possess with intent to distribute at least 20 pounds of marijuana and nearly 20 pounds of MDMA, law enforcement officials said.

Indicted are: Rinald Turhani, 37, of Macomb, Mich.; Denisa Alicka, 26, of Rocky River; Jonida Alicka, 28, of Rocky River, and Leka Konini, 46, of Canton, Mich.

The indictments follow a joint investigation of multiple sales of MDMA and marijuana by the  Alicka sisters from their residences and vehicles between September 2014 and March 2016. Investigators determined the Alickas obtained MDMA and marijuana through Turhani and Konini. Jonida Alicka also obtained MDMA from her boyfriend who resides in Canada, according to court documents.

Denisa Alicka travelled to Michigan on several occasions to pick up the narcotics and transport them back to Ohio. Jonida Alicka, a reserve police officer with the Linndale Police Department, traveled to New York to pick up MDMA and transport it back to Ohio. Denisa and Jonida Alicka distributed the narcotics throughout the Northern District of Ohio, according to court documents.

This case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Robert F. Corts, Marissa Darden and Antoinette T. Bacon following an investigation by the FBI, Cleveland Division of Police, Ohio HIDTA, Parma Police Department, Rocky River Police Department and US Border Patrol.

If convicted, the defendant’s sentence will be determined by the court after a review of the federal sentencing guidelines and factors unique to the case, including the defendant’s prior criminal record (if any), the defendant’s role in the offense, and the characteristics of the violation.

An indictment is only a charge and is not evidence of guilt. A defendant is entitled to a fair trial in which it will be the government’s burden to prove guilt beyond a reasonable doubt.