Massachusetts Man Sentenced On Charges Of Causing Misbranded Drugs To Be Introduced Into Interstate Commerce

          CONCORD, N.H. – Acting United States Attorney Donald Feith announced that Mushed Salam, 47, of Lowell, Massachusetts, was sentenced on September 28th to one year probation in U.S. District Court after pleading guilty to Causing Misbranded Drugs to be Introduced into Interstate Commerce.  Salam was also ordered to perform 50 hours of community service, pay a $1000 fine and a money forfeiture of $18,245.00.

          On October 3, 2012, the North Andover, Massachusetts Police Department responded to a call for a female having seizures due to a possible drug overdose.  The female was interviewed at the Lawrence General Hospital and stated that she had been using “Crazy Monkey” which she purchased at the Richdale convenience store located at 4 Main St., North Andover, Massachusetts.  “Crazy Monkey” is a synthetic cannabinoid.

          The North Andover Police Department and DEA conducted an investigation using a confidential informant (CI) who agreed to purchase synthetic cannabinoids from the convenience store.  From October 9, 2012 through June 20, 2013, on four separate occasions, the confidential informant purchased a variety of the “Monkey” products, all synthetic cannabinoids, from the convenience store.

          The synthetic cannabinoids were misbranded in that: (1) the product was sold as potpourri when in fact the product was intended for use as a drug for human consumption; (2) its label, in package form, failed to include the name and address of the manufacturer, packer, or distributor; (3) its labeling did not bear adequate directions for use; and (4) its labeling did not bear such adequate warnings against use in those pathological conditions and by children.

          The case was investigated by the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) and the North Andover Police Department.  This case was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Debra M. Walsh.