Synthetic Drug Distributor Sentenced to 6 Years in Federal Prison

John H. Durham, United States Attorney for the District of Connecticut, announced that MICHAEL YOUNG, 48, of Bridgeport, was sentenced today by U.S. District Judge Kari A. Dooley in Bridgeport to 72 months of imprisonment, followed by three years of supervised release, for importing, manufacturing and distributing synthetic cannabinoids.

According to court documents and statements made in court, in August 2018, the U.S. Postal Inspection Service identified a suspicious package destined for Young’s Bridgeport residence.  The package had been shipped from a California business that purportedly marketed and sold herbal products for smoking.  A court-authorized search of the package revealed a leafy plant-like substance commonly used as a base to absorb synthetic drugs dissolved in liquid form.  Investigators learned that Young has a state criminal conviction from 2015 related to the distribution of synthetic drugs, and that two international shipments containing synthetic drugs destined for Young’s residence had been seized by U.S. Customs and Border Protection in November 2016 and July 2018.

On August 21, 2018, a court-authorized search of Young’s residence revealed more than a kilogram of synthetic cannabinoids and cathinones, approximately 21 grams of Phencyclidine (PCP) in liquid form, drug packaging materials and $1,700 in cash.  He was arrested on that date.

Young admitted to investigators that he had purchased the drugs online, including from suppliers in China, and that he produced and sold “K2,” which is a street name for synthetic cannabinoid.  Some of Young’s customers resided outside Connecticut and found his product by viewing his advertisements on Craigslist.

Young has been detained since his arrest.  On May 30, 2019, he pleaded guilty to one count of possession with intent to distribute controlled substances.

This matter was investigated by the U.S. Postal Inspection Service and the Drug Enforcement Administration, with the assistance of U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement’s Homeland Security Investigations (HSI), U.S. Customs and Border Protection and the Connecticut State Police.  The case was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Hal Chen.